The Federal Government has announced the closure of more than 13.5 million social media accounts and the removal of nearly 59 million offensive posts across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X for breaching Nigeria’s Code of Practice for Online Platforms.

The figure was disclosed in the 2024 Compliance Report submitted by major tech firms including Google, Microsoft and TikTok to Nigerian regulators such as the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency and the National Broadcasting Commission.

According to the report, the action targeted accounts and content linked to hate speech, misinformation, cybercrime, child exploitation and other harmful online behaviour.

NITDA spokesperson, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, said the government remained committed to ensuring digital safety and enforcing national laws. “We will continue to work with industry stakeholders to promote transparency, strengthen digital literacy and create a safer digital environment for Nigerians,” she said.

The mass crackdown marks one of the largest collaborative enforcement exercises between the Nigerian government and global tech companies. Officials say the move is intended not only to curb online abuse but also to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

In recent years, Nigerian regulators have intensified scrutiny of social media platforms, introducing the Code of Practice in 2022 to compel companies to take responsibility for harmful content shared on their networks. The rules mandate timely removal of flagged content, regular compliance reports, and stronger safeguards for users.

Digital rights advocates have welcomed efforts to improve online safety but warn against potential overreach that could limit freedom of expression.

With internet penetration expanding rapidly in Nigeria, authorities argue that proactive monitoring and enforcement remain crucial to balancing open digital spaces with user protection.