The NITDA Director-General explained that Google alone deactivated about 9.6 million accounts, while LinkedIn removed nearly 16 million. TikTok accounted for the rest, as the platform continues to battle fake profiles, spam networks, and misleading content that violate its policies.
Beyond the account closures, the tech companies also took down more than 58 million pieces of harmful or deceptive content associated with Nigeria. However, around 420,000 posts were restored after further review or successful appeals, revealing how complex and imperfect content moderation systems can be.
The NITDA boss described the situation as evidence of how social media platforms are increasingly being “weaponized” by individuals and groups who use them to mislead the public, run scams, or manipulate online narratives. He stressed the importance of responsible digital behavior in a landscape where misinformation spreads rapidly.
He also emphasized that Nigeria expects transparency from tech companies regarding content takedowns. According to him, any online material that does not violate Nigerian laws should not be removed without explanation, and platforms must ensure their moderation decisions include fair review processes.
The development adds to the ongoing debate about digital regulation and online safety in Nigeria. While removing millions of fraudulent accounts helps protect genuine users, there are concerns about overreach, mistaken removals, and the potential impact on free expression during politically sensitive moments.
For many, the numbers—28 million accounts and 58 million pieces of content—highlight the massive scale of online fraud and misinformation challenges in the region. It also raises questions about how platforms detect abuse and what steps everyday users should take to stay safe online.
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