Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has called for the review or outright ban of TikTok in Nigeria following a disturbing case involving a mother and her young daughter.
Olayinka made the call on his social media platforms while reacting to the reported arrest of a 36-year-old woman in Anambra State over allegations involving her seven-year-old daughter and sexually explicit content allegedly shared through TikTok.
The case has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the ability of social media platforms to prevent children from being exploited for online content and financial gain.
Lere Olayinka demands action against TikTok
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Reacting to the case, Olayinka questioned whether TikTok should continue operating in Nigeria without stronger safeguards.
Olayinka called on the government to consider reviewing the platform’s operations or imposing an outright ban.
His comments have added a political dimension to an already growing public debate about child safety, social media regulation and online content in Nigeria.
The call does not represent an announced government policy or confirmed decision to ban TikTok. Rather, it is Olayinka’s public position following the disturbing case.
Mother arrested over allegations involving daughter
The controversy follows reports that authorities arrested a 36-year-old woman in Anambra State over allegations involving her seven-year-old daughter.
Reports circulating online claim that the woman allegedly used the child in sexually explicit material that was distributed through TikTok.
The circumstances surrounding the case are still being investigated, and the allegations should not be treated as a conviction.
The children involved have reportedly been placed in protective custody while authorities continue their investigation.
The case raises questions about TikTok
The incident has intensified questions about how effectively social media companies can detect and remove content involving the exploitation of minors.
TikTok has become one of Nigeria’s most popular platforms for entertainment, livestreaming and content creation, allowing users to build audiences and, in some circumstances, generate income from their online activities.
While the platform has rules intended to protect minors, critics argue that harmful content can still find its way onto social media before it is detected or reported.
Olayinka’s intervention reflects growing pressure on authorities and technology companies to strengthen protections for children online.
Ban or stronger regulation?
The debate is now moving beyond the specific case and toward a broader question: should Nigeria ban TikTok or impose stricter regulations on its use?
A complete ban would affect millions of Nigerian users, including legitimate creators, businesses and entertainers who rely on TikTok to reach audiences.
Stronger regulation could instead focus on issues such as age verification, child-safety measures, rapid removal of illegal material and greater accountability for platforms that fail to protect minors.
Nigeria has already been considering stronger measures around children’s online safety. Earlier in 2026, Communications Minister Bosun Tijani said the government was consulting on possible restrictions and age-related measures for social media as part of efforts to protect children online.
Growing concern over children and social media
The latest controversy comes amid increasing concern about children appearing on social media.
Parents and guardians can share photographs, videos and personal information about children with little consideration for how that material may later be used or redistributed.
At the same time, the ability to monetise online content creates an additional incentive for some creators to pursue increasingly sensational material.
Child-protection advocates have therefore called for greater awareness among parents, stronger platform enforcement and more effective intervention by authorities.
What happens next?
For now, there is no indication that the Nigerian government has officially decided to ban TikTok.
Olayinka’s comments should therefore be understood as a call for government action rather than an announcement of a new policy.
The immediate focus remains on the investigation into the Anambra case and the welfare of the children involved.
The controversy has nevertheless reignited an important national conversation about the responsibilities of parents, content creators, technology companies and government agencies in protecting children in the digital age.
Whether Nigeria ultimately chooses tighter regulation or considers a broader restriction on TikTok remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the disturbing allegations have placed TikTok and child safety at the centre of another major debate over social media use in Nigeria.
For information on TikTok’s safety policies, visit TikTok Safety Center.
