The Federal Government has announced the shutdown of more than 13 million social media accounts over offensive content and violations of the newly introduced Code of Practice for online platforms.
According to the 2024 Compliance Report on the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, a total of 13,597,057 accounts across platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) were disabled.
The report, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was submitted by major service providers including Google, Microsoft and TikTok.
NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, said in a statement on Wednesday that 58,909,112 offensive posts were taken down in line with the provisions of the code. She disclosed that 754,629 complaints were received from users, while 420,439 posts were restored after appeals.
“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and their own community guidelines,” Umar said.
She noted that the submission of the reports signaled “a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerians.”
The government commended the platforms for their cooperation, stressing that the Code of Practice not only enforces content regulation but also mandates registration of large service providers in Nigeria and compliance with tax obligations.
While acknowledging the progress, NITDA urged continued collaboration with industry players, civil society, and regulators to strengthen digital literacy, enhance user safety, and promote transparency within Nigeria’s online ecosystem.
