FG Confirms Closure of Over 13 Million Social Media Accounts in Crackdown on Offensive Content

In what is being described as one of the largest digital crackdowns in recent years, the Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts over offensive content and violations of the Code of Practice 2024. The sweeping action affected accounts across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), signaling a renewed effort to sanitize the nation’s online space.

The disclosure was made in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, which was jointly prepared by major tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, and submitted to Nigerian regulators. The code itself was developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as part of measures to curb online harm and enforce responsible digital practices.

Key Highlights from the Report

13,597,057 accounts closed for spreading offensive or harmful content. 58,909,112 posts taken down across platforms. 754,629 complaints registered by users. 420,439 posts re-uploaded after user appeals.

According to the report, the enforcement move underscores the government’s determination to protect citizens from online abuse, cyberbullying, misinformation, and other harmful practices.

Speaking on the development, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications at NITDA, commended the social media platforms for their cooperation. She emphasized that the initiative is not a witch-hunt but rather a proactive step to make the digital space safer and more responsible for Nigerians, particularly young people who make up the majority of online users.