Nigeria’s online space has just undergone one of the most aggressive cleanups in its history.
The federal government, in an unprecedented digital sweep, has shut down over 13.5 million social media accounts and purged nearly 59 million offensive posts, a move detailed in the newly released 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report.
The Crackdown Unveiled
Major platforms—TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)—were at the heart of this enforcement, executed under the Code of Practice jointly crafted by NITDA, NCC, and NBC.
Key highlights from the report:
13,597,057 accounts were deactivated for breaching the code.
58,909,112 offensive posts taken down.
754,629 user complaints prompted deeper reviews.
420,439 posts restored after successful appeals.
FG’s Stand: Safety First
Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Corporate Communications Director, applauded global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and TikTok for cooperating with Nigeria’s digital safety framework. She described the purge as a milestone in protecting citizens from harmful content and strengthening online accountability.
Regulators pledged continued partnerships with industry players, civic bodies, and the public to sustain a healthier, more transparent digital environment.
What This Means for the Digital Space
| Focus | Impact |
|---|---|
| Regulation Enforcement | Signals FG’s determination to uphold digital order |
| Platform Accountability | Pressures tech firms to comply with local laws, taxation, and moderation rules |
| Civic Participation | Elevates user complaints and appeals in shaping online governance |
| Global Cooperation | Underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in the global digital policy space |
