NITDA FRAMEWORK AND GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Guidelines set rules for federal government institutions' use of official social media accounts to ensure secure and professional communication. They target communications officers, government officials, and citizens interacting with these accounts, with NITDA overseeing enforcement. This promotes accurate and compliant public information sharing.

What Is This Policy?

NITDA guidelines establishing rules and standards for how federal government ministries, departments, and agencies use official social media accounts, ensuring consistent, secure, and professional government communication.

Who Does It Target?

Federal MDA communications officers and social media managers Government officials with official social media accounts NITDA as the regulating authority for government ICT Citizens interacting with government on social media

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure government social media communication is professional, accurate, secure, and in compliance with information security and public communication standards.

Key Features

Account Management: Prescribes how official government social media accounts are created, managed, and deactivated. Content Standards: Sets standards for what may and may not be posted on official government accounts. Security: Provides security guidelines for protecting government social media accounts from compromise. Disclaimer Requirements: Requires appropriate disclaimers distinguishing official from personal views.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All federal government MDAs with social media presence Beneficiaries: Government communication quality; citizens Funding: NITDA / Federal Government

How to Access

MDA communications officers must comply with the guidelines for official accounts Requests for new official government social media accounts processed through NITDA Training on the guidelines available from NITDA Application method: Access guidelines at https://www.nitda.gov.ng

Important Terms

Personal social media accounts of government officials are not covered — only official MDA accounts Government accounts must not be used for political campaign purposes Security incidents on government social media must be reported to NITDA immediately

Official Resources

Website: https://www.nitda.gov.ng Contact: National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

Legal Framework

Issued under the National Information Technology Development Agency Act 2007, which empowers NITDA to issue guidelines, frameworks, and standards for ICT development in Nigeria. Operates alongside the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030. Draws on the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the Official Secrets Act Cap O3 LFN 2004, the Public Service Rules, and the NITDA Social Media Policy guidelines.