The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally demanded that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, deactivate the Facebook account of Nigerian activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore. This follows a controversial post made by Sowore on August 26, 2025, which the DSS claims is not only defamatory but also threatens Nigeria’s national security.
In a letter dated September 7, 2025, and signed by Uwem Davies, the Director-General of the DSS, the Nigerian government accuses Sowore of spreading misinformation and inciting tension both online and offline. The post, which remains accessible on Facebook, saw Sowore accuse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of “lying shamelessly” about the eradication of corruption under his administration. The activist criticised the president for his comments made during a trip to Brazil, claiming that under his regime, corruption no longer exists in Nigeria.
The DSS has expressed grave concern over the post’s impact, stating that it has caused “online and offline tension” and could potentially escalate political unrest within the country. The letter emphasised that the statement was not only a personal attack on the president but also a direct violation of Nigerian law. The government alleges that the post violates several legal provisions, including the Criminal Code Act, the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Specifically, the DSS points to Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, which prohibits the publication of false information, and Sections 19, 22, and 24 of the Cyber Crimes Act, which address the spread of fake news, online harassment, and offensive content. The government also argues that the post constitutes domestic terrorism under Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as it allegedly promotes hate speech and disunity, with the potential to damage the reputation of Nigeria internationally.
In the official communication sent to Meta, the DSS demands that the post be taken down within 24 hours. The government has warned of “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” if Meta fails to comply.
As of the time of writing, Meta has not issued any public response to the Nigerian government’s request.
