Nigeria Deactivates 13.5M Social Media Accounts, Removes 58.9M Posts Under Digital Compliance Code

The Nigerian government has announced the deactivation of 13.5 million social media accounts and the removal of 58.9 million posts across major platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

The action follows the submission of the 2024 Compliance Report by tech giants such as Google, Meta, TikTok, and X under Nigeria’s Code of Practice, which was introduced in 2022 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Under the Code, platforms are required to take down flagged content within 24 hours of receiving notice from any authorized government agency, without the agency needing to specify how the content violates Nigerian law.

NITDA spokesperson Hadiza Umar defended the crackdown, stating that the measures are aimed at fostering a safer digital environment and encouraging responsible online behavior. She added that the government is working with industry stakeholders to strengthen digital safety practices.

However, the move has also drawn criticism. Analysts and civil rights groups argue that the scale of account deactivations reflects a growing political sensitivity to social media in Nigeria, warning that the line between regulating harmful content and suppressing dissent is becoming increasingly blurred.