By Elizabeth Godwin
Global technology giants Google, Microsoft, and TikTok have deactivated more than 13 million social media accounts and pulled down nearly 59 million pieces of content considered harmful, following Nigeria’s Code of Practice for online platforms.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) disclosed this in a statement jointly signed with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The agencies said the move was part of efforts to curb offensive content and protect users in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital space.
According to NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, a total of 13,597,057 accounts were shut down for breaching community guidelines and the Code of Practice. The 2024 Compliance Report submitted by Google, Microsoft, and TikTok also revealed that 58.9 million obscene or offensive materials were taken down during the period under review.
The report further showed that 754,629 complaints were registered by users across different platforms. Out of this, 420,439 pieces of content that were initially deleted were later restored after successful appeals by users.
Umar praised the companies for cooperating with Nigerian regulators and for demonstrating commitment to user safety. She explained that the Code of Practice mandates large online platforms to be registered in Nigeria, comply with national laws, meet tax obligations, and ensure their operations align with measures designed to make the digital space safer.
“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users,” Umar said. She added that the compliance records provide valuable insight into the efforts of social media platforms to balance freedom of expression with user safety.
While acknowledging the progress, NITDA stressed that building a secure online community requires continuous collaboration between government, tech companies, civil society groups, and users themselves. The agency reiterated its commitment to working with all stakeholders to strengthen digital literacy, enhance transparency, and promote trust across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
