In a significant move to uphold its Community Guidelines, the short-form video platform TikTok has announced the removal of over 3.6 million videos originating from Nigeria during the first quarter of 2025 (January to March). This figure represents a 50 percent increase in content removals compared to the preceding quarter, underscoring TikTok’s intensified efforts in content moderation and digital safety.

The data was released today in TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which highlights the platform’s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and trustworthy online environment for its vast user base. Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in the same period, with more than 184 million taken down through automated systems.

According to the report, TikTok’s proactive detection rate for removed content in Nigeria stood at an impressive 98.4 percent, meaning the vast majority of violating videos were identified and taken down before being reported by users. Furthermore, 92.1 percent of these videos were removed within 24 hours of being uploaded, showcasing the platform’s improved enforcement capabilities.

While specific categories of violations for Nigeria were not exhaustively detailed in the immediate reports, common reasons for content removal on TikTok globally and in Nigeria typically include adult nudity, promotion of violent or illegal activities, hate speech, misinformation, harassment, and spam. The report also indicated a strong focus on live content, with 42,196 LIVE rooms banned and 48,156 streams interrupted in Nigeria for violating community guidelines during the quarter.

Beyond video removals, TikTok’s Q1 2025 report also revealed proactive measures against coordinated harmful behaviour. This included the removal of 129 accounts in West Africa during March 2025, which were found to be tied to covert operations, in partnership with organizations like Cece Yara, a child-focused non-profit.

The company emphasized its continuous investment in AI-powered moderation tools, a dedicated global safety team, and a growing network of local partnerships to enhance its enforcement systems. Despite the high volume of removals, TikTok maintains that this represents only a small fraction of the total content shared by its Nigerian community, with the vast majority being positive, entertaining, educational, and uplifting.

In a broader effort to promote digital well-being, TikTok has also announced the expansion of in-app helpline resources in Nigeria through a partnership with Cece Yara. These helplines will provide young users with access to expert support for sensitive issues such as suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment. Additionally, Nigerian healthcare professional, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana (Doctor Wales), has joined TikTok’s global team as a Digital Well-being Ambassador to further promote online safety and mental wellness.