The Nigerian government has closed approximately 13.6 million social media accounts for posting offensive content and breaching the country’s Code of Practice.
The accounts were removed from platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The action was revealed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, submitted by major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” details efforts to curb harmful online content.
The Code of Practice is jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar, a total of 58.9 million offensive posts were removed, and 754,629 complaints were registered by users.
In addition, 420,439 pieces of content were restored after successful appeals.
Umar commended the platforms for complying with the Code of Practice and stressed that the reports offer important insights into measures to ensure user safety.
She added, “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, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
