TikTok Removes 3.6 Million Videos in Nigeria Q1 2025 50% Increase

TikTok, the popular short-form video content app, has announced a significant increase in content removal in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2025. The platform removed over 3.6 million videos, marking a 50% increase compared to the previous quarter. This move is part of TikTok's ongoing efforts to create a secure and safe digital environment for its users.

The enforcement of community guidelines is a top priority for TikTok, as it aims to maintain a safe, respectful, and trustworthy digital space. Between January and March 2025, 92.1% of the videos that violated the platform's guidelines were removed within 24 hours. This swift action is attributed to a proactive detection rate of 98.4%, which means that content is removed before it is reported to TikTok. The company's investment in advanced technology and expert moderation teams has been crucial in improving the enforcement systems that detect and remove harmful content before it reaches audiences.

In addition to video removals, TikTok also banned 42,196 LIVE rooms and interrupted 48,156 streams in Nigeria that violated the platform's community guidelines. While the LIVE context enables creators and viewers to connect and build communities, TikTok has reinforced its LIVE Monetisation Guidelines to ensure that certain content is not eligible for monetisation. This proactive approach underscores TikTok's commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all users.

TikTok's efforts to strengthen content moderation in Nigeria are part of a broader global initiative. The platform removed over 211 million videos worldwide in the first quarter of 2025, up from 153 million in the previous quarter. Over 184 million of these removals were made through automation, demonstrating the platform's continued improvements in identifying and removing harmful content quickly and effectively. Globally, less than 1% of content uploaded to TikTok is found to violate its community guidelines, highlighting the platform's proactive safeguards.

TikTok's commitment to transparency and platform safety remains at the forefront of its operations. The company has pledged to strengthen its content moderation systems to safeguard its diverse community. This includes hosting events like the "My Kind of TikTok Digital Well-being Summit," which brings together experts, NGOs, creators, media, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to explore the art of content moderation. Additionally, TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources in Nigeria, in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organisation. This initiative will provide young users with access to local helplines in-app that offer expert support when reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

In March 2025, TikTok also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations, which are secretive actions undertaken to influence political, economic, or military conditions in another country without publicly disclosing the sponsoring entity’s involvement. This action further demonstrates TikTok's commitment to maintaining a safe and transparent digital environment for its users.

TikTok's efforts to reinforce content moderation in Nigeria are part of a broader global initiative to create a safe and respectful digital environment. The platform's proactive approach to content removal, combined with its investment in advanced technology and expert moderation teams, has been crucial in maintaining a secure space for its users. As TikTok continues to grow and evolve, its commitment to transparency and platform safety remains at the forefront of its operations, ensuring a secure environment for its diverse user base across Nigeria and globally.