Buhari’s Ex-Aide Calls For Regulation Of TikTok, Cites Harmful Impact On Nigeria
Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, recently expressed concerns about the growing influence of TikTok in Nigeria, arguing that the platform is causing more harm than good. Ahmad highlighted that TikTok, which has gained immense popularity globally, is increasingly being exploited by criminal elements in Nigeria, including bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists, to spread misinformation and propaganda.
In a post on his X.com account, Ahmad underscored the dangers posed by the freedom and reach provided by TikTok, which allows these criminals to engage directly with the public and even conduct live conversations defending their criminal activities. He argued that the platform not only amplifies the voices of these dangerous individuals but also emboldens them by giving them a space to promote their malicious agendas.
Ahmad called for stricter regulations and more robust content monitoring on TikTok to curb the misuse of the platform by these criminal elements. He emphasized the need for stakeholders in Nigeria to take immediate action to prevent further harm.
This concern comes in the wake of recent viral videos on TikTok, where bandits were seen flaunting large sums of money, allegedly collected as ransom from their victims. These videos have drawn widespread criticism, with counter-insurgency experts and security analysts like Zagazola Makama calling attention to the issue on social media.
Ahmad’s comments are particularly notable given his role in the Buhari administration, which previously took a hard stance on social media regulation. The administration had banned Twitter (now X) in Nigeria for 222 days, following the platform’s deletion of a tweet by Buhari. The ban was lifted in January 2022 after significant public and international pressure.
As concerns over the misuse of social media platforms like TikTok continue to grow, Ahmad’s call for stricter regulation highlights the ongoing debate over balancing freedom of expression with national security in Nigeria.
