FG Deactivates Over 13.5 Million Social Media Accounts
The federal government of Nigeria has announced the shutdown of 13,597,057 social media accounts across platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X, citing repeated violations of the Code of Practice for Interactive Platforms.
The action comes as part of the 2024 Compliance Report submitted by major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok to Nigerian regulators.
Nearly 59 Million Offensive Posts Removed
According to the report released by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA):
13,597,057 accounts were deactivated.
58,909,112 offensive posts were permanently removed.
754,629 user complaints were filed.
420,439 contents were re-uploaded after successful appeals.
Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s director of corporate communications, explained that the measures were necessary to curb harmful content, misinformation, and online abuse.
Government’s Justification
The enforcement drive was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Officials stressed that the government is not seeking to stifle free speech but rather to “maintain a safe and responsible digital environment”.
NITDA emphasized that the cooperation of global tech companies, civil society, and the public is vital to ensure trust, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s online space.
What This Means for Nigerians
While the government insists the move protects citizens, concerns remain over:
How accounts are flagged and reviewed.
Whether appeals and due process are fair.
Potential risks to digital freedoms and expression.
As Nigeria’s digital population continues to grow, this development highlights the delicate balance between regulation and online freedom.
