The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says Google, LinkedIn and TikTok deactivated more than 28 million accounts in the last year for fraud, impersonation and harmful online activities, many of them traced to Nigerian actors.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Abdullahi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a symposium on digital innovations in crisis communication organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication.
Abdullahi said Google alone shut down 9.6 million accounts, while LinkedIn removed nearly 16 million accounts—figures he described as alarming for a platform designed for professionals. TikTok also suspended millions of accounts linked to abusive behaviour.
He warned that the scale of the takedowns shows how social media platforms are increasingly being weaponised in Nigeria for scams, impersonation, misinformation and coordinated digital abuse.
According to him, the platforms also removed over 58.9 million pieces of harmful content linked to Nigeria within the same period, although about 420,000 posts were later restored after review or appeals.
Abdullahi said the actions highlight growing cooperation between the Nigerian government and global tech firms to curb online fraud, extremist messaging and disinformation, but cautioned that takedown systems must not be misused to silence critics or minority groups.
Representing the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said emerging technologies should support crisis communication rather than inflame tensions. He noted that narratives around insecurity now significantly shape public perception and national stability.
Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade (rtd.), described crisis communication as a national security asset, stressing that rapid and credible information is critical in emergencies.
The revelations come amid rising concerns over Nigeria’s expanding cybercrime network, growing impersonation schemes and increased use of social media for political propaganda and scams.
