Kaduna backs social media regulation over insecurity concerns

Kaduna State Government Advocates for Stricter Regulation of Social Media to Combat Misinformation

Kaduna, Nigeria – The Kaduna State Government is advocating for intensified regulation of social media platforms following a recent peacebuilding report that identified digital platforms and competing narratives as significant factors contributing to insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, Commissioner for Information and Culture, addressed the findings of the Delimi Prosper Project on Tuesday during an event at the Gusau Institute. The initiative, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), was part of a broader effort known as Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING).

The one-day event gathered government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and other stakeholders to review findings and recommendations from the eight-month intervention. Maiyaki emphasized the need for evidence-based approaches to peacebuilding.

“The report underscored the importance of evidence-based peacebuilding,” he stated. “Sustainable peace can only be achieved through informed interventions rather than assumptions.”

He stressed that government policies and conflict responses should be grounded in reliable data that identifies the root causes of insecurity and potential pathways to enduring peace.

Maiyaki expressed concern about the increasing role of social media in disseminating misinformation and disinformation, warning that such platforms are often misused to escalate tensions and deepen societal divisions.

“While social media remains a vital tool for information dissemination, it should not serve as a vehicle for incitement and falsehood,” he said. “Evidence from the report shows that digital media can exacerbate conflict.”

The commissioner highlighted that even in established democracies, regulatory frameworks are in place to manage social media platforms. He reiterated that citizens should not misuse these platforms to instigate conflicts or misinform the public.

The state government aims to provide timely and accurate information to the public while ramping up efforts to counteract fake news that could trigger unrest. Maiyaki pointed out existing laws in Nigeria that prohibit the spread of fake news, emphasizing that the government will actively combat those who seek to mislead the public and incite violence.

Richard Ali, Executive Director of Engaging Borders Strategy, Research and Development, shared insights from the project, noting that young people play a crucial role in the dynamics of conflict in Northern Nigeria and should be central to peacebuilding efforts.

The project, which ran from August 2025 to March 2026 across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, produced nine key recommendations, including enhanced collaboration among governments, development partners, and civil society groups.

Ali warned that the digital landscape is a major arena for conflict narratives, emphasizing that achieving sustainable peace will require coordinated efforts to address both online and offline factors that drive violence.

“The key finding is that young people are at the center of these conflicts,” he said. “To address these issues effectively, we must involve young people in the process. Collective action is essential to breaking recurring cycles of conflict and insecurity.”

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