Nigerian Government Shuts Down 13.6 Million Social Media Accounts Over Offensive Content
Story: written by okafor joseph August 20,2025
The Nigerian government has confirmed the shutdown of over 13.5 million social media accounts across platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for violating the Code of Practice 2024.
According to the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, a total of 13,597,057 accounts were removed due to offensive content, harmful posts, and other violations. The compliance report was submitted by major interactive service providers, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.
The Code of Practice was jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to regulate online activities and protect users.
In a statement on Wednesday, NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar revealed that 58,909,112 offensive posts were taken down, while 754,629 complaints were officially filed by users. She added that 420,439 pieces of content were reinstated after successful appeals.
“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into platforms’ efforts to safeguard users in line with the Code of Practice and their internal guidelines,” Umar said.
The government commended Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their strict compliance, stressing that the move is aimed at creating a safer digital space in Nigeria.
NITDA further assured Nigerians of its commitment to working with industry stakeholders, civil society, and regulators to strengthen user safety, digital literacy, and transparency in the nation’s digital ecosystem.
