The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged the Federal Government to introduce stronger regulations to guide the use of social media in Nigeria, warning that its misuse poses a grave threat to the nation’s peace, unity, and mutual respect.
Speaking at an event in Sokoto on Thursday, the revered monarch expressed concern over the growing trend of misinformation, hate speech, and character assassination, particularly among some scholars and opinion leaders on social media platforms.
According to the Sultan, the unrestrained use of social media has become a breeding ground for division, tension, and religious intolerance, which could undermine Nigeria’s fragile peace and national cohesion. He emphasized that while social media has become a powerful tool for information sharing and education, its abuse must be checked before it causes irreparable damage to society.
“Social media should be a platform for promoting truth, understanding, and unity,” the Sultan stated. “Unfortunately, many now use it to spread falsehoods, insult leaders, and create unnecessary tension. This must stop. We need proper regulations that balance freedom of expression with responsibility.”
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Alhaji Abubakar cautioned scholars, clerics, and public figures to be mindful of their online conduct, stressing that their words carry great influence and could easily inflame public sentiment. He urged them to use their platforms to preach tolerance, peace, and respect for one another, regardless of ethnic or religious differences.
He also appealed to government agencies, particularly the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Ministry of Information, to intensify efforts in public enlightenment and digital literacy campaigns to help Nigerians understand the responsible use of online media.
“We cannot allow the misuse of social media to destroy our relationships and the values that bind us as a nation,” the Sultan said. “Every Nigerian has a duty to use these platforms wisely and promote peace rather than division.”
The call by the Sultan comes amid growing national debate over the need to regulate social media without infringing on citizens’ constitutional rights. Lawmakers and civil society groups have long disagreed on how best to strike a balance between protecting free speech and curbing online abuse in Nigeria’s digital space.