The Nigerian Police have called on social media influencers to ensure compliance with the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024 while creating content for public consumption.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Salman Dogo Garba, made the appeal at a two-day workshop organized by the Social Media Awareness and Promotion Development Association (SMAPDA) for media influencers in Kano.
Speaking at the event held at Bristol Palace, Kano, Garba—represented by the command’s spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa—advised participants to prioritize their personal safety and security, given their increasing visibility in the digital space.
He also emphasized the crucial role of influencers in promoting inter-ethnic harmony and national unity, urging them to use their platforms responsibly.
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The police further cautioned against spreading fake news, hate speech, and negative content, highlighting the potential consequences under the new cybercrime law.
SMAPDA’s Founder and Executive Secretary, Sharfaddeen Bature, expressed concern over the underutilization of talented content creators in Northern Nigeria.
He noted that security agencies could leverage digital platforms for community engagement and information dissemination.
Addressing participants at the “50 Million Plus Followers Connect” workshop, Bature emphasized the growing impact of influencers on brand promotion and public opinion, stressing that SMAPDA—comprising over 300 influencers from 19 northern states—aims to professionalize content creation and unlock its full economic potential.
“We have many talented influencers promoting various products and ideologies, but they often operate without proper structure or support. Our goal is to bring them together under one umbrella to enhance their impact and create business opportunities,” Bature said.
He also urged the government and other institutions to leverage the association’s network in reaching out to the public.
Bature urged media influencers to work with regulatory bodies like the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and security agencies to ensure responsible and structured content creation.