Ex-presidential aide Bashir Ahmad calls for stricter regulation of TikTok

Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, has urged the Nigerian government to regulate social media platforms, particularly TikTok, citing the platform’s potential to cause harm to the country.

Ahmad expressed concerns over TikTok being used by criminal elements to share information with their partners in crime.

In a post on his official X account on Thursday, Ahmad highlighted instances where bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists have reportedly utilized TikTok to communicate with the public and even engage in live conversations to justify their activities.

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“It is alarming that TikTok, a global social media platform, is being utilized by criminals in Nigeria to interact with the public and, in some cases, even engage in live conversations defending their heinous activities,” Ahmad wrote.

He further argued that the platform is causing more harm than good, stating, “TikTok not only amplifies the voices of these criminals but also emboldens them by providing a space to spread their propaganda and misinformation.”

Ahmad called on the federal government to enforce stricter regulations and content monitoring to prevent such misuse.

“Nigeria needs stricter regulations and content monitoring on TikTok to prevent those dangerous individuals from using it for their malicious agendas,” he added.