Nigeria Shuts Down 13.6 Million Social Media Accounts Over Offensive Content

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Nigerian government has deactivated about 13,597,057 social media accounts for spreading offensive content and breaching online regulations.

The move, captured in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, targeted violators on major platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

According to the report, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok confirmed their enforcement measures.

NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar revealed that more than 58.9 million offensive contents were deleted, while platforms processed 754,629 complaints from users. Of these, 420,439 contents were reinstated after successful appeals.

The agency applauded the platforms for complying with Nigeria’s digital safety code, stressing that the reports reflect progress in tackling online harm.

“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns,” Umar stated. “We remain committed to strengthening user protection, boosting digital literacy, and promoting trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”

Officials described the submission of the 2024 compliance report as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against harmful online practices.