Bashir Ahmed, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has raised concerns about the negative impact of TikTok on Nigeria.
He asserts that the social media app, which is increasingly used by criminal elements to communicate with the public, needs stricter regulation.
In a post on his X.com account late Wednesday, Ahmed criticized the platform for providing a space where criminals—such as bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists—can spread misinformation and justify their crimes.
Ahmed stated, “It is alarming that TikTok, a global social media platform, is being exploited by criminals in Nigeria to interact with the public and even engage in live discussions defending their illegal activities.
The app is causing more harm than good by amplifying the voices of these criminals and giving them a platform to spread propaganda and misinformation.
Nigeria urgently needs more stringent regulations and content monitoring on TikTok to prevent its misuse by these dangerous individuals.”
This concern follows previous government actions, including a 222-day suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria during Buhari’s presidency, which was lifted on January 13, 2022.
Recently, TikTok has faced scrutiny over viral videos showing bandits displaying ransom money, as highlighted by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama.
