The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, don reveal say Google, LinkedIn, and TikTok don deactivate more than 28 million accounts within the last one year, many of dem dey linked to Nigerians. Dis na because plenty people dey use social media to scam, impersonate, and spread harmful content. Abdullahi yan dis one for Abuja during one symposium on digital innovations wey dey focus on crisis communication, wey Centre for Crisis Communication organize.
According to him, Google alone shut down 9,680,141 accounts, while LinkedIn remove almost 16 million accounts, wey he call “outrageous” because LinkedIn suppose be professional site. TikTok also carry out high-volume suspensions. Abdullahi talk say dis level of account shutdown show how social media don dey weaponised for Nigeria, with people dey use am for personal gain, scams, and causing wahala.
E talk say beyond shutting down accounts, the platforms don remove over 58.9 million pieces of harmful content wey dey linked to Nigeria in the same period. About 420,000 posts come back after appeal or internal review. Dis dey part of stronger collaboration between Nigerian government and big tech companies to fight disinformation, online fraud, extremist propaganda, and other forms of coordinated digital abuse.
Abdullahi caution say governments no suppose use these takedown systems to silence critics or minority voices. He emphasised say if content no dey violate any law for Nigeria, e no make sense to just tell the platform make dem remove am. E talk say proper, transparent, rights-respecting reinstatement system dey necessary so people no go lose their voice online.
He yan further say dis collaboration don improve communication between tech platforms and Nigerian regulators, supporting reforms like Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, wey later lead to Nigerian Data Protection Commission. Abdullahi stress say this partnership dey help control online scams and maintain public trust while protecting digital rights.
On another side, Jibrin Ndace, Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, talk say new technologies suppose dey used to strengthen crisis communication, no be to inflame tensions or destabilise country. Maj Gen Chris Olukolade (retd.), Chairman of Centre for Crisis Communication, talk say crisis communication na strategic national security tool, because modern emergency dey unfold fast for social media, and institutions must respond quickly with verified information. E add say survival during crisis dey depend on timely access to credible information, coordinated institutional action, and the ability of public to react fast.
Dis revelation show how Nigeria dey face rising cybercrime, impersonation rings targeting professionals, and wide use of social media for political propaganda, scams, and misinformation campaigns. Abdullahi conclude say even though big tech companies dey deactivate millions of accounts, balance dey necessary between protecting people online and respecting digital rights, so that social media no turn weapon against the public.
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