No fewer than 13,597,057 social media accounts have been shut down by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for violating the code of practice on offensive content.
New National Star reports that the accounts were removed from platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
The enforcement action followed the submission of the 2024 Compliance Report by major service providers such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The Code of Practice was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hadiza Umar, said in a statement on Wednesday that 58,909,112 offensive contents were taken down from various platforms.
Umar commended Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for complying with the code of practice for interactive computer service platforms.
She said 754,629 complaints were registered across the platforms, adding 420,439 pieces of content were taken down and re-uploaded 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. 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 ensuring a secure and trustworthy online environment for all. This achievement reflects the provisions of the code of practice, which mandates that large service platforms are registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including the fulfilment of their tax obligation, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders. We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to further strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” she said.