The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step to enhance safety in the social media space by immediately shutting down approximately 13,597,057 social media accounts for posting offensive content and breaching the code of practice established for users of social media platforms.
Additionally, the government has removed a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents from various platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). This information was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Hajiya Hadiza Umar.
The government’s decision was outlined in the 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report submitted to the government by providers of interactive computer service platforms such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok. This report stipulates guidelines for users.
The 2024 report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection,” was jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NITDA, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
In the statement, the NITDA spokesperson commended Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for their sustained adherence to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, noting that there were 754,629 registered complaints.
According to Umar, 420,439 contents were removed and subsequently re-uploaded following appeals by users. She emphasized that the compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in accordance with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines.
She stated, “The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and more 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 be registered in Nigeria and comply with relevant laws, including fulfilling their tax obligations, while reinforcing the commitment to online safety for Nigerians.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasize 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.”
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