The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has confirmed the shutdown of 13,597,057 social media accounts on platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
According to authorities, the accounts were deactivated for posting offensive content and violating provisions of the Code of Practice.
The disclosure was contained in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, jointly submitted by major interactive service providers such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The Code of Practice—developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)—was introduced to regulate online activities and curb harmful content.
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The 2024 report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection”, revealed that 58,909,112 harmful posts were taken down across platforms during the review period.
In a statement signed on Wednesday, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, disclosed that platforms also received 754,629 complaints from users. Of these, 420,439 posts were removed but later restored after successful appeals.
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Umar stressed that the compliance reports underscore platforms’ commitment to protecting users in line with both the Code of Practice and their internal community guidelines.
“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users. It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to building a secure and trustworthy online space for all,” she said.
NITDA further noted that while the progress recorded is commendable, achieving a safer digital ecosystem requires sustained collaboration between government, civil society, and industry players.
