The Federal Government has shut down more than 13 million social media accounts in a sweeping move to curb offensive content and enforce compliance with Nigeria’s Code of Practice for online platforms.
According to a Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted to the government by operators of interactive computer service platforms including Google, Microsoft and TikTok, about 13,597,057 accounts were deactivated across major social networks such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
The report, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), also revealed that 58,909,112 offensive contents were taken down from various platforms.
In a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations of NITDA, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the government said the action was necessary to sanitize Nigeria’s digital space and protect users from harmful content.
She explained that a total of 754,629 complaints were registered during the period, while 420,439 contents were removed and later re-uploaded following appeals by users.
“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines,” Umar said.
She added that the submission of compliance reports marks “a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users” while also reinforcing the obligation of large service platforms to register in Nigeria and comply with relevant tax and safety laws.
NITDA commended Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their cooperation but maintained that building a safe online environment requires sustained collaboration with industry players, civil society, and regulatory agencies.
“We remain committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” the statement read.
