The Nigerian government has announced the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts for violations of the Code of Practice guiding online platforms in the country. The accounts, spread across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, were flagged for offensive content and breaches of user conduct.
The action was revealed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted to the government by global tech companies including Google, Microsoft and TikTok. The report was prepared in line with the Code of Practice jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Broadcasting Commission.
According to the 2024 report titled Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection, a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents were removed across platforms during the period under review.
NITDA’s spokesperson said 754,629 complaints were lodged by users and regulators, leading to the removal of hundreds of thousands of posts. Out of these, 420,439 pieces of content were later reinstated after users appealed the takedown decisions.
The agency commended Google, Microsoft and TikTok for adhering to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and stressed that the compliance reports are crucial in assessing how platforms are addressing harmful content.
“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users. We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” the agency stated.