Bashir Ahmad, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Special Assistant on Digital Communication to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has urged the Nigerian federal government to implement stringent regulations on TikTok.

Ahmad highlighted concerns about the misuse of the platform by criminals, including bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists, who allegedly use TikTok to interact with the public and even justify their illegal activities. He argued that without strict oversight, TikTok could potentially influence young Nigerians towards criminal behavior.

In a statement on his X handle, Ahmad expressed his alarm over the platform’s role in amplifying criminal voices and spreading propaganda. He emphasized that TikTok’s current use is detrimental, and called for improved regulation and content monitoring to curb its misuse.

“Nigeria requires more robust regulations and oversight on TikTok to prevent it from being exploited for harmful purposes,” Ahmad stated.