By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
THE NIGERIAN government announced that more than 13.5 million social media accounts have been closed or deactivated, with nearly 59 million posts deleted across major global platforms in compliance with the country’s Code of Practice for online safety.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) disclosed that leading platforms Google, Microsoft and TikTok acted in line with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, Internet Intermediaries.
The agency also explained that the code was jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and NITDA, establishing clear measures to tackle harmful online content.
Hadiza Umar, director of corporate communications and media relations at NITDA, said the latest figures formed part of the 2024 compliance report submitted by the platforms.
She explained that the reports provided detailed insights into the extent of enforcement actions carried out to safeguard Nigerian users.
“The highlight of the overall statistics across all platforms shows that there are 754,629 registered complaints,” Umar stated.
“We recorded 58,909,112 content takedown, 420,439 removed and re-uploaded content following appeal by users. There were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts.”
She added that the submission of the reports represented a significant step towards creating a safer and more responsible digital environment.
According to NITDA, the figures also demonstrated the platforms’ commitment to ensuring a secure and trustworthy space for users in Nigeria.
Umar further noted that the achievement aligned with the provisions of the code of practice, which mandates that large service platforms operating in Nigeria must register in the country and comply with local laws, including fulfilling tax obligations.
“While NITDA acknowledges these commendable efforts, we emphasise that building a safer digital space requires sustained collaboration and engagement among all stakeholders,” she said.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with industry players, civil society and regulatory bodies to enhance user protection online.
Umar explained that the ongoing collaboration would strengthen digital literacy, foster trust, and ensure transparency within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The Code of Practice, which was introduced to curb harmful content and promote accountability, continues to guide operations of large online platforms in Nigeria.
The compliance reports, according to NITDA, underline a coordinated regulatory approach to addressing concerns of user safety while reinforcing the responsibility of platforms to act swiftly against offensive content.
