Expert Seeks Stronger Social Media Regulation Framework For Nation-building

The regional director, Africa (Robotics and Autonomous Systems), Prof. Chinedu Ogwus, has called for a stronger social media regulatory framework and strategic regulation of Nigeria’s social media space, describing it as a vital instrument for nation-building and global image management.

Ogwus stressed that effective regulation must deliberately address critical areas of abuse within the digital space, including the spread of hate speech, the rising incidence of cyber fraud and the unchecked circulation of nudity and other obscene materials that undermine societal values.

He also decried the frequent online exportation of images depicting filthy, degraded, or misrepresented urban environments, noting that such content often presents a distorted narrative of Nigeria to the international community.

The expert made the call during the 37 Million Digital Literacy Mega Launch Programme organised by Global Clusters in Lagos yesterday.

It brought key stakeholders together to deliberate on the role of social media in nation-building, digital inclusion, responsible online engagement and the future of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Ogwus said social media has evolved into a powerful force shaping public opinion, governance discourse and international narratives.

However, he lamented that many images and stories exported from Nigeria via digital platforms fail to reflect the nation’s true identity, core values and developmental progress, often amplifying negativity, misinformation, and unverified content.

According to him, this misuse has overshadowed Nigeria’s positive achievements and potential, despite the platform’s capacity to drive civic participation, innovation, youth empowerment, and economic growth when deployed responsibly.

He expressed concern that some social media actors have neglected their responsibility to project Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, advance environmental initiatives, and highlight growing economic opportunities to the global audience, a failure he said has reinforced harmful stereotypes and weakened the country’s national image abroad.

The varsity don charged social media users to consciously publish content that uplifts, edifies, and promotes the nation’s image, rather than disseminating nudity, obscenity, hate-driven narratives, and other degrading materials that erode societal values and moral standards.

He further emphasised that digital literacy must go beyond access and technical competence, arguing that it should also encompass ethical responsibility, critical thinking, national consciousness, and content accountability in order to nurture digitally responsible citizens.

Ogwu pointed out that regulation, when properly designed and transparently implemented, should not be misconstrued as censorship or an attack on freedom of expression, but rather as a protective framework aimed at safeguarding the digital space from abuse while preserving democratic engagement, creativity, innovation and national cohesion.