TikTok and CABC Forge Digital Shield Against Gendered Hate in Nigeria

TikTok and the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) have launched a collaborative initiative in Nigeria to combat tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), focusing on content moderation strategies to address gendered hate speech. A roundtable held in Lagos in September 2025 brought together journalists, civil society activists, regulators, and digital experts to design inclusive solutions for safeguarding women in media and online communities. The event emphasized the need for evidence-driven action and community engagement to disrupt harmful narrativesTechnext24^[1]. Jesse Cann, Head of Research at CABC, highlighted the initiative’s focus on centering women and girls in discussions about digital safety, underscoring the platform’s commitment to reducing online harassmentTechnext24^[1].

The partnership builds on TikTok’s existing safety measures in Nigeria. In Q1 2025, the platform removed over 3.6 million videos in the country for violating community guidelines—a 50% increase from the previous quarter. This included 42,196 banned LIVE rooms and 48,156 interrupted streams for policy breaches. Globally, TikTok removed 211 million videos in the same period, with 99% detected proactively through automation. The company attributes these efforts to advanced moderation technologies and human review teamsWeeTracker.com^[4]. In Nigeria, TikTok’s SaferTogether campaign, launched in 2022, has partnered with organizations like the Data Scientists Network (DSN) and Cece Yara to conduct workshops for parents, educators, and creators on digital safetyTechnext24^[1].

The initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to address online safety. At a September 2025 Safer Internet Summit in Cape Town, TikTok reiterated its commitment to collaboration with governments and regulators across Sub-Saharan Africa. The event, attended by officials from Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries, emphasized the need for frameworks that balance innovation with user protection. Helena Lersch, TikTok’s Vice President for Public Policy, stated that the platform’s policies evolve to safeguard users while fostering creativity. In Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with TikTok to advance digital literacy and combat misinformation, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s national security priorities.

Key stakeholders at the roundtable, including Duduzile Mkhize (TikTok’s Sub-Saharan Africa outreach manager) and Kim Thipe (CABC’s executive director), stressed the importance of listening to local voices. Mkhize emphasized that TikTok’s safety tools must reflect the lived experiences of Nigerian users, particularly women in media. Thipe added that addressing TFGBV requires cross-sector collaboration and data-driven strategies. The initiative also includes in-app helpline resources, expanded through a partnership with Cece Yara, to provide support for users reporting suicide, self-harm, or harassmentInterfaceNewshub^[5].

Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential overreach in automated content moderation. While TikTok highlights its proactive detection rates, digital rights advocates warn of risks to free expression, particularly for marginalized groups. The platform’s expansion of AI-powered enforcement has drawn scrutiny in Nigeria, where users have faced legal consequences for politically or religiously sensitive content. Despite these challenges, TikTok maintains that its safety measures are essential for protecting users while promoting a “positive, educational, and entertaining” digital environment.

The collaboration between TikTok and CABC represents a significant step in addressing online gender-based violence in Nigeria. By integrating community insights, strengthening moderation systems, and expanding educational programs, the partnership aims to create safer digital spaces for women and girls. As TikTok continues to refine its approach, the success of these efforts will depend on sustained engagement with local stakeholders and transparency in policy implementation.