Sh*ckwave! FG Pulls Plug On 13 Million Social Media Accounts In Unprecedented Crackdown

The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has confirmed the shutdown of 13,597,057 social media accounts belonging to users on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

According to authorities, the accounts were deactivated due to offensive content and violations of the Code of Practice.

The disclosure was made in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted by major interactive service providers, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

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)—was introduced to regulate online activities and curb harmful content.

The 2024 report, titled “Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection”, revealed that 58,909,112 harmful posts were removed across platforms during the review period.

A statement signed on Wednesday by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, noted that platforms also received 754,629 complaints from users, leading to the removal of 420,439 posts, which were later restored after appeals.

Umar stressed that the compliance reports highlight platforms’ ongoing efforts to protect users in line with both the Code of Practice and their internal community guidelines.

She further stated:

“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users. It also demonstrates the platforms’ commitment to building a secure and trustworthy online space for all.”

NITDA added that while the progress is commendable, achieving a safer digital ecosystem requires continuous collaboration among stakeholders, including government, civil society, and industry players.