Nigerians React as FG Shuts Down Over 13 Million Social Media Accounts for Offensive Content

The Federal Government has confirmed the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts across platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for violating Nigeria’s Code of Practice 2024. The crackdown also saw the removal of a staggering 58,909,112 offensive contents deemed obscene or harmful, sparking nationwide debate on censorship, online safety, and digital rights.

According to the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, which was jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the action was based on widespread violations of community guidelines, ranging from hate speech to the spread of explicit materials.

In a statement on Wednesday, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, praised global tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their cooperation in enforcing the rules. She noted that 754,629 registered complaints were reviewed by the platforms, while 420,439 pieces of content were removed and later reinstated following user appeals.

“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,” Umar said.

She added that the enforcement marks “a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users,” stressing that the government’s action aligns with its broader vision of protecting citizens from online harm.

The Code of Practice mandates that all large service platforms operating in Nigeria must register locally, comply with national laws, and fulfil their tax obligations. Umar described the report as a reflection of “the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all,” but also emphasised that sustained collaboration between regulators, companies, and citizens is needed to make digital spaces safer.

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some hailed the move as necessary to tackle cyberbullying, fake news, and harmful content, others expressed concerns that it could be a backdoor attempt to stifle free speech, especially ahead of politically sensitive periods.