The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has disclosed that major technology firms including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok deactivated more than 13.5 million user accounts in Nigeria in 2024 as part of compliance with the country’s Code of Practice for Online Safety Punch reports.
According to NITDA, the figure emerged from the 2024 compliance reports submitted under the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries — a regulatory framework introduced in 2022 by NITDA in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The reports revealed that Nigerian users lodged 754,629 complaints in 2024, which led to the removal of 58.9 million pieces of harmful content.
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Out of these, 420,439 items were restored after successful user appeals, while 13.59 million accounts were permanently shut down for violations of community standards and national laws.
In a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Communications, Hadiza Umar, NITDA described the disclosures as a “significant step towards fostering a safer and more responsible digital environment.”
The agency added that transparency in publishing such compliance reports is key to accountability in Nigeria’s digital governance framework.
NITDA commended the companies for their cooperation but stressed that ensuring online safety requires sustained collaboration among platforms, regulators, civil society, and industry stakeholders.
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Nigeria has in recent years tightened oversight of digital platforms as part of efforts to regulate its fast-growing online economy.
Authorities argue that while social media and digital platforms drive communication and commerce, they also carry risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, fraud, and exploitation.
The Code of Practice, first issued in 2022, was designed to balance innovation with user protection.
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