Dissecting The Existing Laws That Guide The Use Of Social Media In Nigeria
Introduction
The Nigerian social media space has been leveraged as a platform for public interactions, collaborations, and cohabitation in the present-day Nigerian socio eco-system. However, our social media environment, as we have it today, is a product of several governing laws, which has helped shape it, into the present posture it maintains today.
The Nigerian social media, just as every other aspect of social civilizations, bedeviling the Nigerian social space today, has been a source of concern in recent days, particularly with the wake of the recent #ENDSARS Movement, where a lot has been observed, of how the social media has been an engine room and a driving point for spare heading the above revolution.
Stakeholders within the Nigerian borders, have decried the role, that social media has played in Nigeria’s present social engineering and it is upon this premise, and many before it, that there has been a recent move to enact several laws, or amend existing laws, to provide rigorous measures for the control of the social media space, such as the Hate Speech Bill, And The Social Media Bill and others. We will however examine the existing laws, governing this civilization of social engineering, and make submissions in respect of the above.
Author:
O. M. Atoyebi, SAN
Mr. Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN is one of the most notable professional Nigerian lawyer, who has distinguished himself in his professional sphere within the country and internationally. He is the youngest in the history of Nigeria to be elevated to the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. At age 34, he was conferred with the prestigious rank in September, 2019. Mr. O.M. Atoyebi, SAN can be characterized as a diligent, persistent, resourceful, reliable and humble individual who presents a charismatic and structured approach to solving problems and also an unwavering commitment to achieving client’s goals. His hard work and dedication to his client’s objectives sets him apart from his peers.
As the Managing Partner of O.M. Atoyebi, SAN & Partners, also known as OMAPLEX Law Firm, he is the team leader of the Emerging Areas of Practice of the Firm and one of the leading Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Local Content Law, where he has worked with various key industry stakeholders and successfully facilitated transactions in the Oil & Gas and Energy Sector. He has a track record of being diligent and he ensures that the same drive and zeal is put into all matters handled by the Firm.
Contributor:
Isaac Adeyanju