Free speech, like many other fundamental human rights, has become a recurring debate in Nigeria and of course, this doesn’t go without questioning. Why? Why are there people in power determined to restrict what Nigerians say, how they say it and where they are saying it? While there are several stakeholders on this mission, Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed, has positioned himself as the forerunner of this agenda.

Following the #EndSARS protest that gained traction on social media, Lai Mohammed in a report, Tuesday, 27 October 2020, has warned against the use of social media as a tool to propagate fake news. According to the minister, “The recent #EndSARS war was fought on social media. They mobilised using social media. The war today revolves around two things. Smartphone and data and these young men don’t even watch television or listen to radio or read newspapers…”

On Twitter, however, his warning was met with heavy criticisms by many who stated that the minister has a history of trying to silence Nigerians.

Here are a few reactions:

Lai Mohammed loves comparing Nigeria to China but he should also know that he wouldn't be holding a political post if he was in China because they would have executed his ass.

— • General Zee ? • #EndSARS (@heisTactic) October 28, 2020

Compare and Contrast.

The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people.
Jon Ronson.

Between Minister Lai Mohammed and Jon Ronson, who do you think is at home with our 21st Century realities? #EndSARS #WhoOrderedLekkiMassacre, @MBuhari ? https://t.co/iQToSaqWfQ

— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) October 28, 2020

The only reason Lai Mohammed wants social media regulated is because we keep exposing their lies to the international communities. Imagine Lagos State Government (LASG) ordered the #LekkiTollGateShooting, now the world will know. That's their fear.#BlackTuesdayNigeria pic.twitter.com/0LLaYARAYM

— Tonybrainy says SARSMUSTEND (@Tonybrainy) October 28, 2020

We are saying it if the people do not rise to take charge to put in place government that will promote the interest of the working class corrupt politicians like Lai Mohammed will continue to parade themselves as the best Nigeria is got to offer. Forward to a Socialist Nigeria!

— Francis Nwapa (@FNwapa) October 28, 2020

Lai Mohammed anytime I see you it hots me that an old man like you hasn't seen the reason why Nigeria should be working fine.

— #RestructureNig (@akaneme84) October 28, 2020

Lai Mohammed has always attempted to regulate social media and ultimately control what is being dished out by the press. In 2019, the minister was one of the statesmen pushing for a social media bill aimed at controlling social media content from Nigerians. For the minister, this bill was to sanitize the internet of passive hate comments on social media targeted at the government. However, the bill, after meeting several criticisms, did not pass.

Only recently, Lai Mohammed reportedly acted alone to increase the fine for ‘Hate Speech’ by the regulated body responsible for the media and its content; the National Broadcast Commission (NBC). The minister announced that the fine jumped from N500,000 to N5,000,000- an increase that shocked many Nigerians. The NBC refuted any claim of an increase in their fine.

Lai Mohammed has always left many wondering why, so desperately, he has been on the forefront with agendas against free speech.

Admittedly, fake news is a serious issue. When you consider how social media was designed to function, fake news on social media platforms becomes a strong battle to fight against. Tech firms and social media platforms are aware of this and have taken measures to reduce the amount of fake news distributed on their platform. Typically, if a piece of news is fake, it is brought down by the platform after it has been reported. Users who also distribute fake news are penalised on the platform with their accounts being suspended. However, this ‘censorship’ can quickly be used as a tool by the government in clamping down on true life events they want to label lies. But that’s a story for another day.

Lai Mohammed’s constant war with the way Nigerians use social media is a cruel, tragic irony. How can a Minister of Information be so against free speech?  He has also been complicit in the harassment of Nigerians and the arrest of a journalist for the ‘crime of free speech’. It would pay for someone to kindly inform Lai Mohammed that Nigeria has long since moved on from the military era and is now practising a democratic system.