FG shuts down 13 million social media accounts In Nigeria

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

The federal government of Nigeria has shut down approximately 13,597,057 social media accounts due to offensive content and breaches of the code of conduct by users on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly) known as Twitter).

This was revealed in a 2024 Compliance Report on the Code of Practice, which was provided to the government by companies operating interactive computer service platforms, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, among others.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) collaboratively released the Code of Practice.

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In an announcement made on Wednesday, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, stated that the government had removed a total of 58,909,112 offensive pieces of content from various platforms.

The statement reads in part: “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.

“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.

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“It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all. “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.

“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders.

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“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.”