By our Reporter
Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullah, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has revealed that Nigeria plans to exert more control over how TikTok and similar social media platforms operate in the country.
According to Abdullah, the move aims to ensure that content shared on these platforms aligns with national goals of skill development, digital safety, and unity.
He emphasized that Nigeria must take responsibility for shaping the way digital platforms function within its borders. “When we look at the U.S., it is also doing it for its own digital dignity — and what is good for the U.S. is also good for Africa and Nigeria,” he said.
The director general further explained that many global tech platforms are not designed with African users or local regulations in mind. “When these apps are being designed, they don’t take us into consideration or note our laws. But since we have that self-determination, we should tell them how we want these platforms to operate in Nigeria,” he added.
While acknowledging that TikTok provides opportunities for creativity and self-expression, the NITDA boss noted that the platform is often used mainly for entertainment rather than productivity.
“We want to see people using it to promote digital safety and create content that builds a stronger nation. But mostly, we use it for entertainment, which takes away time our youth could use to develop skills for the future,” he said.
