NITDA Director-General Kashifu Abdullahi has raised alarm over the increasing weaponisation of social media in Nigeria after major tech platforms deactivated more than 28 million abusive accounts linked largely to Nigerian online actors over the past year.
Speaking at a crisis communication symposium in Abuja, Abdullahi revealed that:
Google shut down 9.6 million accounts
LinkedIn removed nearly 16 million accounts — a figure he described as “outrageous” for a professional platform
TikTok carried out millions of additional bans
These accounts were linked to fraud, impersonation, disinformation, and harmful content. In addition, tech platforms took down over 58.9 million harmful posts, while 420,000 were restored after review.
Abdullahi said the crackdown reflects growing cooperation between Nigeria and global tech companies to curb scams, extremist propaganda, coordinated misinformation, and digital abuse. However, he cautioned that takedown systems must not be exploited by governments to silence critics or suppress minority voices, stressing the need for transparent, rights-based content moderation.
Speaking for the Minister of Information, Voice of Nigeria DG Jibrin Ndace warned that emerging technologies should strengthen—not inflame—public communication during crises, as narratives now powerfully shape national stability.
Centre for Crisis Communication Chairman Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade (rtd.) added that effective crisis communication is now a national security asset, noting that emergencies unfold at the speed of social media and require rapid, credible institutional responses.
The disclosures come amid growing concerns over cybercrime, impersonation networks targeting professionals, and the rising use of social platforms for propaganda, scams, and misinformation in Nigeria.
Speaking at a crisis communication symposium in Abuja, Abdullahi revealed that:
Google shut down 9.6 million accounts
LinkedIn removed nearly 16 million accounts — a figure he described as “outrageous” for a professional platform
TikTok carried out millions of additional bans
These accounts were linked to fraud, impersonation, disinformation, and harmful content. In addition, tech platforms took down over 58.9 million harmful posts, while 420,000 were restored after review.
Abdullahi said the crackdown reflects growing cooperation between Nigeria and global tech companies to curb scams, extremist propaganda, coordinated misinformation, and digital abuse. However, he cautioned that takedown systems must not be exploited by governments to silence critics or suppress minority voices, stressing the need for transparent, rights-based content moderation.
Speaking for the Minister of Information, Voice of Nigeria DG Jibrin Ndace warned that emerging technologies should strengthen—not inflame—public communication during crises, as narratives now powerfully shape national stability.
Centre for Crisis Communication Chairman Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade (rtd.) added that effective crisis communication is now a national security asset, noting that emergencies unfold at the speed of social media and require rapid, credible institutional responses.
The disclosures come amid growing concerns over cybercrime, impersonation networks targeting professionals, and the rising use of social platforms for propaganda, scams, and misinformation in Nigeria.
NITDA Director-General Kashifu Abdullahi has raised alarm over the increasing weaponisation of social media in Nigeria after major tech platforms deactivated more than 28 million abusive accounts linked largely to Nigerian online actors over the past year.
Speaking at a crisis communication symposium in Abuja, Abdullahi revealed that:
Google shut down 9.6 million accounts
LinkedIn removed nearly 16 million accounts — a figure he described as “outrageous” for a professional platform
TikTok carried out millions of additional bans
These accounts were linked to fraud, impersonation, disinformation, and harmful content. In addition, tech platforms took down over 58.9 million harmful posts, while 420,000 were restored after review.
Abdullahi said the crackdown reflects growing cooperation between Nigeria and global tech companies to curb scams, extremist propaganda, coordinated misinformation, and digital abuse. However, he cautioned that takedown systems must not be exploited by governments to silence critics or suppress minority voices, stressing the need for transparent, rights-based content moderation.
Speaking for the Minister of Information, Voice of Nigeria DG Jibrin Ndace warned that emerging technologies should strengthen—not inflame—public communication during crises, as narratives now powerfully shape national stability.
Centre for Crisis Communication Chairman Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade (rtd.) added that effective crisis communication is now a national security asset, noting that emergencies unfold at the speed of social media and require rapid, credible institutional responses.
The disclosures come amid growing concerns over cybercrime, impersonation networks targeting professionals, and the rising use of social platforms for propaganda, scams, and misinformation in Nigeria.
0 Comments
·0 Shares
·524 Views
