FG Shuts Down 13.6 Million Social Media Accounts Over Offensive Content

August 21, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The Federal Government has disclosed that about 13,597,057 social media accounts were shut down for offensive content and violations of the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms.

The action, according to the government, was based on reports submitted by major platform operators, including Google, Microsoft, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

The disclosure was contained in the 2024 Code of Practice Compliance Report, which outlined the enforcement of digital safety regulations across Nigeria.

The Code of Practice, jointly issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), mandates global tech companies to monitor and curb harmful content, misinformation, and abusive behavior on their platforms.

According to the report, millions of accounts were deactivated for spreading hate speech, fake news, cyberbullying, and other forms of offensive or harmful content deemed to violate Nigeria’s digital laws.

The Federal Government emphasized that the move was aimed at ensuring safer online spaces for Nigerians while holding platforms accountable for user activity.