Nollywood Actor Damilola Ogunsi Advocates for Social Media Regulation in Nigeria

Nollywood actor Damilola Ogunsi has voiced his strong support for a social media regulation bill currently under consideration by Nigerian lawmakers. Speaking out on the growing negative impact of online discourse, Ogunsi highlighted the role of bloggers and social media influencers in spreading misinformation, which he believes is significantly shaping public perception in harmful ways.

In a recent appearance on News Central TV, Ogunsi expressed concerns over the influence of social media on daily conversations, pointing out that many individuals are now forming opinions based on what they encounter online. “We have turned society into something else. We have lots of bloggers pushing nonsense in today’s society,” Ogunsi remarked. “There are times when you have conversations with people and you hear them use social media lingo in what they’re saying. A lot of people are actually living and having their perceptions guided by what they find online.”

While acknowledging the importance of free speech, Ogunsi emphasized that some countries have successfully implemented social media regulations to protect the public. Drawing comparisons with countries like Turkey and Dubai, he noted that regulations in these regions are designed with the public’s well-being in mind.

“I understand that we shouldn’t muffle the voice of the people and they shouldn’t be stifled,” Ogunsi explained. “But if you look at what happened in Turkey, they’re really Draconian in what they do. If you look at how they’re doing it in Dubai, you’ll see that they’re doing it for the benefit of the people and society.”

The actor also highlighted the importance of accountability in online spaces, particularly regarding bloggers who operate without consequences. He stressed that the absence of regulation allows harmful content to spread unchecked, leading to a toxic and increasingly polarized online environment.

“I believe there should be regulations to manage how these bloggers operate,” Ogunsi said. “You know how bloggers blog from home and say, ‘I’m at home, come and beat me.’ This is the year we should be doing that, beating them. There are no consequences, and people put anything out there, and society is going crazy.”

Ogunsi’s comments come at a critical time when Nigeria is grappling with the influence of social media on public opinion and societal behavior. As lawmakers continue to discuss potential regulations, Ogunsi’s support for the bill underscores the growing debate over how to balance free speech with the need for accountability in the digital age. With the conversation around social media regulation gaining momentum, Ogunsi’s remarks highlight the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and the responsibility of content creators online.