Nigeria Shuts Down Over 13 Million Social Media Accounts, Deletes Nearly 60 Million Posts for ‘Offensive Content’
In a sweeping crackdown on digital misconduct, the Nigerian government has deactivated more than 13.5 million social media accounts and removed nearly 59 million posts deemed offensive or in violation of national regulations.
The action, disclosed by Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was carried out in collaboration with major tech platforms including Microsoft, Google, Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
These platforms acted in compliance with Nigeria’s Code of Practice, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NITDA, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“We recorded 58,909,112 content takedown[s], 420,439 removed and re-uploaded content following appeal by users,” Umar stated.
“There were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts.”
The Code of Practice, first introduced in 2022, mandates platforms to swiftly respond to court orders and government notices regarding unlawful content. It also requires platforms to:
Remove non-consensual explicit content within 48 hours of notice
Disclose user identities when ordered by a court for investigations related to national security or serious crimes
Register in Nigeria and fulfill tax obligations
Umar emphasized that the compliance reports submitted by tech companies “mark a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.”
While praising the platforms’ efforts, she added,
“Building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders.”
The move has sparked debate over digital rights, censorship, and the balance between safety and freedom of expression in Nigeria’s online space.
