The Nigerian government has clamped down on social media misuse, shutting down more than 13.5 million accounts for offensive content and repeated violations of online safety rules.
The move was revealed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to the report, social media giants including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Google, and Microsoft pulled down 58.9 million harmful posts following user complaints and government regulations.
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NITDA’s spokesperson, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, said on Wednesday that 754,629 complaints were officially lodged, while about 420,000 posts were restored after users successfully appealed.
“The reports provide valuable insights into how platforms are tackling harmful content and keeping users safe,” she noted, adding that compliance also includes ensuring platforms are registered in Nigeria and paying relevant taxes.
The government praised platforms like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their efforts but stressed that keeping Nigeria’s digital space safe requires “sustained collaboration” among regulators, tech companies, and civil society.
The new Code of Practice demands that social media platforms operating in Nigeria not only comply with local laws but also strengthen online safety measures to build public trust.