Nigerian Government Deactivates More Than 13 Million Social Media Accounts

The Nigerian government has taken down approximately 13,597,057 social media accounts due to violations of the Code of Practice and the posting of offensive content on platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

This action was disclosed in the 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report, submitted by major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok. The report highlights efforts by digital platforms to curb harmful online behavior and promote safer digital interactions.

The Code of Practice, established jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), sets guidelines for content regulation and user protection on digital platforms.

According to the report titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report: Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection”, a total of 58,909,112 offensive content items were removed across various platforms.

In a statement issued Wednesday, NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar praised the compliance efforts of companies like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok. She revealed that authorities received 754,629 registered complaints, while 420,439 pieces of content were taken down and later reinstated after successful user appeals.

“These compliance reports offer critical insight into how digital platforms are addressing user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and their own community guidelines,” Umar stated.

She added that the government remains committed to working with tech companies, civil society groups, and regulatory partners to enhance digital safety, promote transparency, and boost digital literacy among Nigerian users.