The Federal Government has announced that more than 13 million social media accounts have been shut down across various platforms for violating Nigeria’s Code of Practice on offensive content.
According to the government, the clampdown affected popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), in what is regarded as one of the largest coordinated regulatory actions in the country’s digital space.
The revelation came through the ‘Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report’ submitted by promoters of interactive computer service platforms including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok. The report highlighted sweeping actions taken to curb harmful content, fake news, and other forms of online abuse.
The Code of Practice, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is designed to regulate big tech companies operating within Nigeria and to protect digital users from offensive content.
Confirming the development, Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, said in a statement on Wednesday that a staggering 58,909,112 offensive contents were removed from different platforms.
Umar also commended major tech giants for their cooperation.
“Google, Microsoft, and TikTok have complied with the code of practice for interactive computer service platforms,” she said, noting that their adherence was crucial to sanitizing Nigeria’s digital environment.
She disclosed that 754,629 complaints were registered across the platforms within the reporting period.
Out of these, 420,439 pieces of content were taken down and later re-uploaded following user appeals, reflecting both the scale of user engagement and the delicate balance between regulation and free expression.
“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 explained.
She added: “The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users. It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all.”
In her remarks, Umar emphasized the broader significance of the Code of Practice beyond just content regulation.
“This achievement reflects the provisions of the code of practice, which mandates that large service platforms are registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including the fulfilment of their tax obligation, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.”
She however cautioned that the work is far from over.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders. We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.” she concluded,
