News

Social Media providers and Nigerian Content creators

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

By Sonny Aragba-Akpore

On Monday September 16,2024,ByteDance and it’s short video platform,Tik Tok appeared at a crowded court in Washington DC,the United States of America (USA) before a panel of three judges to appeal against a law that is likely to ban the company from doing business in the USA by January 2025 if it does not divest its operations.
Although,this legal tussle is ongoing,Nigerian content creators appear to be the first victims of this long drawn battle between Tik Tok and the American government.
While the content creators wonder what becomes of their trade,Facebook and Instagram are making things more difficult for them.
Tik Tok ,Facebook and Instagram may have strong reasons for their actions but not as much as we know.
Meta Group,owners of Facebook,Instagram and WhatsApp last week deleted over 1,600 users in Nigeria for alleged scamming activities.
The deleted 1,600 Facebook groups are allegedly linked to Yahoo Boys.

This purge, which happened on October 17,2024 , follows the one in July 2024 that saw 7,200 Facebook assets removed. The company also announced that the recent removal of 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria were tied to financial sextortion scams.

On Thursday ,October 17,2024 Meta revealed that these groups attempted to organise, recruit, and train new scammers. It said, “Yahoo Boys are banned under Meta’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy — one of our strictest policies — which means we remove Yahoo Boys’ accounts engaged in this criminal activity whenever we become aware of them.”

“While we’ve been removing violating Yahoo Boys accounts for years, we’re putting new processes in place which will allow us to identify and remove these accounts more quickly.”

In addition to targeting scammers, Meta introduced new safety features aimed at protecting users, particularly teens, from sextortion scams. These measures include blocking suspicious accounts from following teens and making it harder for scammers to view follower lists, which are often used to blackmail victims.

The TikTok face off with the U.S. government in federal court specifically argued a law that could ban the platform in a few short months saying it is unconstitutional .

But the American Justice Department said it is needed to eliminate a national security risk posed by the popular social media company.

In the more than two-hour appearance before a panel of three judges at a federal appeals court in Washington, attorneys for the two sides – and content creators – were pressed on their best arguments for and against the law that forces TikTok and its China-based parent company ByteDance to break ties by mid-January or lose one of their biggest markets in the world.
Andrew Pincus, a veteran attorney representing the two companies, argued in court that the law unfairly targets the company and runs foul of the First Amendment because TikTok Inc. – the U.S. arm of TikTok – is an American entity. After his remarks, another attorney representing content creators who are also challenging the law argued it violates the rights of U.S. speakers and is akin to prohibiting Americans from publishing on foreign-owned media outlets, such as Politico, Al Jazeera or Spotify.
Despite the spirited arguments put forward by Tik Tok is already licking its wounds and in what seems a transferred aggression visited its spleen by deleting over two million accounts of Nigerians mid last week.
This is the second time in the last one year that it will visit its anger on Nigerians.
By last quarter of 2023, no fewer than 1.7 million accounts were deleted.
Figures published in ByteDance’s advertising resources indicate that TikTok had 23.84 million users aged 18 and above in Nigeria in early 2024 according to DataReportal.

ByteDance allows marketers to target TikTok ads to users aged 13 and above via its advertising tools, but these tools only show audience data for users aged 18 and above .

ByteDance’s figures indicate that TikTok ads reached 20.8 percent of all adults aged 18 and above in Nigeria at the start of 2024.

TikTok’s ad reach in Nigeria was equivalent to 23.1 percent of the local internet user base at the beginning of the year, regardless of age according to DataReportal.

In early 2024, 40.9 percent of TikTok’s ad audience in Nigeria was female, while 59.1 percent was male.ByteDance’s advertising resources only publish audience gender data for “female” and “male” users.

DataReportal explains that, ad audiences often only account for a subset of a platform’s total users, and given that TikTok’s ad tools only publish data for users aged 18 and above, it’s important to remember that trends in TikTok’s ad reach figures may not necessarily match changes in the platform’s overall user base. In reality TikTok’s ad reach in Nigeria was equivalent to 23.1 percent of the local internet user base at the beginning of the year, regardless of age.

The battle in the American courts is especially calculated to upturn a Presidential Executive Order which specifically directs Tik Tok to divest its operations by breaking away from the Chinese appendages.

The measure, signed by President Joe Biden in April, 2024 was the culmination of years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China.

The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion.

Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to alleged manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect.

So what is the offence of Nigerian content creators in all of these?

During the second quarter of 2024, approximately 21.6 million TikTok accounts owned by Nigerians were removed from the platform due to suspicion of being operated by users under the age of 13.
“During the last measured period, around 171 million fake accounts were removed from fake accounts removed from TikTok” as alleged by the company saying that the deleted accounts allegedly consistently violated Community Guidelines and so stood banned from TikTok.

“If your account has been banned, you’ll receive a banner notification when you next open the app, informing you of this account change” Tik Tok stated.

Some of the accounts were deleted because they were said to be inactive and were not used to access TikTok for at least 180 days.

“Whether an account is inactive is not publicly visible and duplication of user name is inadmissible.”

“In most instances, we cannot reassign a username. We suggest using a variation of your desired username by adding numbers or underscores, or using an abbreviation.

If you believe that a username infringes your intellectual property rights, view our Intellectual Property Policy.”

TikTok’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report provides insight into how the platform maintains safety and integrity. With over 40,000 trust and safety professionals working alongside cutting-edge technology, TikTok enforces strict guidelines and policies to ensure a positive experience for all users.
With a global proactive detection rate of 98.2%, TikTok is more efficient than ever at preventing harmful content from reaching its audience.

The platform’s ongoing investment in cutting-edge moderation technology is coupled with its commitment to transparency, ensuring a secure space for its diverse Nigerian and global users.

TikTok’s report is part of its broader mission to inspire creativity and foster a joyful, safe environment for all users.

These actions reflect TikTok’s focus on ensuring user safety by addressing harmful content swiftly. The platform continues to invest in advanced technologies to detect and remove inappropriate material.

Globally, TikTok removed over 178 million videos in June 2024, with 144 million of these removed through automated systems.

These improvements have helped reduce the exposure of moderators to harmful content, as well as the speed of detection.

“In its Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, Tik Tok emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and positive environment for Nigerian users.

This report provides transparency into the platform’s content moderation efforts, highlighting the videos and accounts removed for violating community guidelines” according to agency reports.
The 2.1 million videos deleted from Nigeria are less than 1% of all content uploaded in the country.
The social media platform attributed this action to violations of its Community Guidelines.

It noted Nigeria’s presence among the top 50 countries for such policy breaches during Q4 of 2023.
Globally, 176.5 million videos were removed during this period, with the top 50 offending markets responsible for about 90% of these removals.

According to the report, the deleted videos violate TikTok’s restrictions pertaining to safety, and civility. Additionally, they violate mental and behavioral health, privacy and security, integrity, and authenticity restrictions, among others.

TikTok claimed that within the period under examination, it had deleted 169 million accounts that had been found to be fraudulent or spam.

Agency reports quoted TikTok Ada’s saying “From October through to the end of 2023, we removed more than 169 million fake accounts globally. Also, we have removed about 1.2 million bot comments on content tagged with hashtags related to the Israel-Hamas war.”

“However, we remain vigilant in our efforts to detect external threats and safeguard the platform from fake accounts and engagement.

“These threats persistently probe and attack our systems, leading to occasional fluctuations in the reported metrics within these areas.”

Since its launch, TikTok has become one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, using recommendation algorithms to connect content creators with new audiences.

In April 2020, TikTok surpassed two billion mobile downloads worldwide.
Cloud flare ranked TikTok the most popular website of 2021, surpassing Google.The popularity of TikTok has allowed viral trends in food and music to take off and increase the platform’s cultural impact worldwide.

TikTok has come under scrutiny due to data privacy violations, mental health concerns, misinformation, offensive content, and its role during the Israel–Hamas war.

Countries have fined, banned, or attempted to restrict TikTok to protect children or out of national security concerns over possible user data collection by the Chinese government through ByteDance.

TikTok, started as Douyin in China and Hong Kong as a short-form video hosting service owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which can range in duration from three seconds to 60 minutes.It can be accessed with a smart phone app.

ByteDance planned on Douyin expanding overseas. The founder of ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, stated that “China is home to only one-fifth of Internet users globally. If we don’t expand on a global scale, we are bound to lose to peers eyeing the four-fifths. So, going global is a must.”

ByteDance created TikTok as a global version of Douyin. TikTok was launched in the international market in September 2017.On November 9,2017, ByteDance spent nearly $1 billion to purchase Musical.ly, a startup headquartered in Shanghai with an overseas office in Santa Monica, California.Musical.ly was a social media video platform that allowed users to create short lip-sync and comedy videos, initially released in August 2014.

TikTok merged with Musical.ly on August 2,2018 with existing accounts and data consolidated into one app, keeping the title TikTok.

On January 23,2018, the TikTok app ranked first among free application downloads on app stores in Thailand and other countries.TikTok has been downloaded more than 130 million times in the United States and has reached two billion downloads worldwide,according to data from mobile research firm Sensor Tower (those numbers exclude Android users in China).

In the United States, celebrities, including Jimmy Fallon and Tony Hawk, began using the app in 2018.Other celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Will Smith, and Justin Bieber joined TikTok as well as many others.In January 2019, TikTok allowed creators to embed merchandise sale links into their videos.

On September 3,2019, TikTok and the U.S. National Football League (NFL) announced a multi-year partnership.The agreement occurred just two days before the NFL’s 100th season kick-off at Soldier Field, where TikTok hosted activities for fans in honor of the deal.

The partnership entails the launch of an official NFL TikTok account, which is to bring about new marketing opportunities such as sponsored videos and hashtag challenges.

In July 2020, TikTok, excluding Douyin, reported close to 800 million monthly active users worldwide after less than four years of existence.

In May 2021, TikTok appointed Shou Zi Chew as their new CEO who assumed the position from interim CEO Vanessa Pappas, following the resignation of Kevin A. Mayer on August 27, 2020.In September 2021, TikTok reported that it had reached one billion users.
In 2021, TikTok earned $4 billion in advertising revenue.

In October 2022, TikTok was reported to be planning an expansion into the e-commerce market in the US, following the launch of TikTok Shop in the United Kingdom. The company posted job listings for staff for a series of order fulfillment centers in the US and is reportedly planning to start the new live shopping business before the end of the year.

Douyin was launched by ByteDance in September 2016, originally under the name A.me, before rebranding to Douyin in December 2016.

Douyin was developed in 200 days and within a year had 100 million users, with more than one billion videos viewed every day.

While TikTok and Douyin share a similar user interface, the platforms operate separately.

Douyin includes an in-video search feature that can search by people’s faces for more videos of them, along with other features such as buying, booking hotels, and making geo-tagged reviews.

News

Atiku And Other Northern Muslims Reject INEC 2027 Elections Dates

Published

11 minutes ago

February 14, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixing dates for the 2027 general elections has sparked widespread criticism, particularly among northern Muslim leaders and political figures who argue that the schedule coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded an immediate change of the date released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections, stating it falls within the Ramadan period.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must urgently reconsider the February 20, 2027 date it has announced for the general elections,” Mr Abubakar said in a statement on Friday. “That date falls squarely within the Ramadan period (February 7 – March 8, 2027), a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.”

INEC had earlier released the official elections timetable, outlining dates for campaigns, voters’ registration, political parties’ primary elections and general elections.

However, Mr Abubakar blasted INEC for fixing the elections within the holy month of Ramadan, accusing the electoral umpire of poor judgement and insensitivity to the country’s socio-religious realities.

“Elections are not mere administrative rituals; they are national exercises that demand maximum participation, physical endurance, and collective focus. Fixing such a critical civic exercise in the middle of a major religious observance reflects poor judgment and a troubling lack of sensitivity to the nation’s socio-religious realities,” the ADC chieftain said.

While noting that inclusive planning was fundamental, the former vice president said INEC’s poor handling of election timing casts doubt on the capacity of the body to deliver free and fair elections to Nigerians.

“In a diverse country like Nigeria, inclusive planning is not optional, it is fundamental. Something as basic as choosing a broadly acceptable date should not be mishandled. It speaks to competence, foresight, and respect for citizens.

“If INEC struggles with getting a simple matter of timing right, Nigerians are justified in asking: what assurance do we have that it will competently deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027?” Mr Abubakar stated.

We have recently deactivated our website’s comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

Ramadan is a sacred period in Islam marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayers, and spiritual reflection. For many Muslims, the month involves physical restraint, heightened devotion, and communal religious activities that can be physically demanding.

Critics argue that conducting national elections during this period could suppress voter turnout, especially in predominantly Muslim regions of northern Nigeria. They maintain that elections require physical endurance, long hours at polling units, and active participation in vote protection and monitoring — activities that may prove challenging while fasting.

A statement circulating online described the move as “a troubling lack of sensitivity to Nigeria’s socio-religious realities,” emphasizing that election planning in a diverse country must take religious observances into account.

In Nigeria, where religion plays a significant role in public life, stakeholders insist that inclusive planning is not optional but fundamental to democratic credibility.

Atiku and Other Northern Voices React

Another northern commentator, Hamma Hayatu, declared confidently on social media that “the date for elections 2027 just released shall be changed,” reflecting a growing sentiment among critics that public pressure may force a review.

Several social media users echoed similar concerns, with one post reading: “There’s no way the Muslim majority will participate in the casting and protection of votes during Ramadan.”

Questions About Consultation and Planning

Observers say the controversy raises broader questions about the consultative process that preceded the announcement.

In past election cycles, INEC has often engaged political parties, civil society organizations, and security agencies in discussions around logistics and scheduling. However, critics argue that the Ramadan overlap suggests either insufficient consultation with religious and community leaders or an oversight in evaluating the socio-cultural implications of the dates.

Some commentators have framed the issue as a test of INEC’s foresight and administrative competence.

“If INEC struggles with getting a simple matter of timing right, Nigerians are justified in asking what assurance we have that it will competently deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027,” one political analyst wrote.

The concern is not merely symbolic. Analysts warn that even a marginal decline in voter turnout in key regions could influence electoral outcomes and fuel post-election disputes.

Risks to Voter Participation and Credibility

The primary fear expressed by critics is the potential suppression of voter turnout among Muslims observing the fast. During Ramadan, many adherents limit strenuous activities, especially under the hot sun, which characterizes much of Nigeria’s dry season in February and March.

Long queues at polling units, delays in accreditation, and potential security challenges could further discourage participation.

Election observers also note that reduced turnout in certain demographics may affect perceptions of legitimacy. In a country already grappling with concerns about voter apathy and trust in electoral institutions, any factor that appears to limit participation could undermine public confidence.

Moreover, Ramadan evenings are often dedicated to special prayers known as Taraweeh, meaning extended polling delays could clash with religious commitments.

Broader Political Implications

Beyond religious considerations, the controversy comes at a politically sensitive time as parties begin early maneuvering ahead of the 2027 race.

The northern region remains a crucial voting bloc in presidential elections. Any perception that its predominantly Muslim population is disadvantaged could become a major campaign issue.

Political strategists suggest that opposition parties may seize on the controversy to question INEC’s neutrality or competence, potentially escalating tensions.

At the same time, some voices have urged calm, noting that Ramadan does not automatically preclude civic participation and that Muslims in other countries have voted during the holy month. However, they acknowledge that Nigeria’s logistical and climatic realities differ significantly.

Pressure Mounts on INEC

As criticism intensifies, pressure is mounting on INEC to review the announced dates. Civil society groups and commentators argue that adjusting the calendar now would demonstrate responsiveness and strengthen public trust.

So far, INEC has not issued a formal statement addressing the Ramadan concerns. The Commission’s leadership may face increasing calls to clarify whether alternative dates were considered and what consultations informed the decision.

Election experts emphasize that revising the schedule at this early stage would not pose significant logistical challenges, given that 2027 is still over a year away.

A Test of Inclusivity

Ultimately, the debate over the 2027 election dates underscores Nigeria’s delicate balance of religion, politics, and democracy.

In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society, national institutions are expected to demonstrate sensitivity to diverse realities. Critics insist that something as fundamental as election timing should reflect inclusive planning.

Whether INEC will reconsider its decision remains to be seen. However, the immediate public outcry signals that the issue resonates deeply, particularly among northern Muslim communities.

As the 2027 elections approach, the controversy serves as an early reminder that beyond logistics and ballots, the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy rests heavily on public trust — and that trust often begins with decisions that show respect for the nation’s diversity.

News

Bashir Ahmad urges INEC to review 2027 election timetable, cites Ramadan

Published

15 minutes ago

February 14, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the dates announced for the 2027 general elections, saying the proposed timetable falls within the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and could affect participation.

INEC, in a notice issued on Friday, fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

The dates were announced at a news conference in Abuja by the commission’s chairman, Joash Amupitan.

Reacting in a post on X, Ahmad addressed Independent National Electoral Commission, expressing concern that both election days fall within Ramadan.

“Dear INEC Nigeria, this is a respectful observation following the announcement of February 20th and March 6th, 2027, as the date for the next presidential and National Assembly and governorship and state assembly elections respectively,” he wrote.

“The proposed dates fall within the holy month of Ramadan, a period during which many Muslims devote significant time to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection,” Ahmad added.

He warned that holding the elections during the period could pose challenges for many voters.

“If the intention is to encourage full and inclusive participation in the electoral process, scheduling such a critical national exercise during Ramadan may present challenges for a large segment of the population,” he said.

According to him, many Muslims reduce engagement in demanding activities during the fasting period in order to focus on religious obligations.

“Given the significant Muslim population in this country, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the timing to ensure broader participation and convenience for all citizens,” Ahmad stated.

He added that his observation was made “in the spirit of inclusiveness and national cohesion.”

News

‘I’ll Never Let My Child Go There’: Niger State Parents Reject School Reopening Over Insecurity Fears

Published

17 minutes ago

February 14, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Parents and community leaders in Niger State have expressed concern over the reopening of schools, citing the continued risks to children and education workers in areas affected by insecurity.

Several schools in Shiroro, Agwara, Rafi, and Mariga local government areas are located in communities that have experienced repeated attacks, kidnappings, and threats.

The November 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara, which prompted a state-wide closure, remains a reference point for assessing safety in schools across the state. Residents have said reopening without adequate security could expose students to similar risks.

Mohammed Musa Alawa, Deputy Imam of Allawa Central Mosque in Shiroro LGA questioned the government’s handling of school closures and reopening, saying the situation remains unsafe, Saharareporters can report.

“Firstly, I need to question the government’s act on school closure; is school closure actually meant to combat insecurity? If it’s a yes, then I guess reopening schools at this moment is not safe,” Alawa said.

He also highlighted specific schools in insecure areas as unsafe for children to attend.

“For instance, Model Primary School, Allawa, as listed among the schools reopened, I will never let my child go there as there has been no one in Allawa since April 25, 2024 when the government withdrew the military stationed there,” he said.

“Actually, the only modalities I would like the government to put in place is none other than to take necessary measures on combating these cruel beings. Wiping them or driving them out of the state is the only solution that will guarantee the safety of our children,” Alawa added.

Alawa raised concerns about the effect of armed presence near schools.

He said, “While I understand that in some areas vigilantes are guarding schools, the presence of armed men on school premises can instill fear in students and hinder their ability to focus on their studies.”

The Lapkama Freedom Fighters (LFF) said schools could only be reopened where there is “visible, sustained and credible security presence alongside clear emergency response mechanisms.”

They warned that reopening schools in areas with ongoing threats “exposes innocent children and education workers to grave dangers.”

LFF said they had engaged security agencies, conducted public awareness campaigns, and advocated for a coordinated school safety framework involving government, communities, and security forces.

They said they were “willing and ready to collaborate with government and security agencies on school safety assessment, support community-based early warning and protection initiatives around schools.”

Recent incidents have underscored ongoing risks.

An IED explosion between Kududu and Chukuba in Shiroro, along with repeated attacks in Papiri, indicates that some schools officially cleared for reopening remain in areas of concern. Parents said children should only return “where there is safety, protection and a chance for our children to learn in peace.”

Schools approved for reopening in Agwara, Rafi, and Mariga LGAs include Alhaji Zakari Mohammed Sani Nursery and Primary School; Army Children School, Wawa; Federal Government Girls College Staff Nursery and Primary School; and Waziri Primary School.

Some residents said insecurity in these areas has raised doubts about whether reopening is feasible without additional safety measures.

The Niger State Government has emphasised that schools in unsafe areas remain closed until credible security is restored.

Authorities have urged stakeholders to comply with reopening directives while prioritising the safety and educational development of students.

As of the time of filing this report, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, had not responded to SaharaReporters’ requests for comment on the safety of schools in the affected areas.