Joy Agwunobi
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reported that leading technology and social media companies operating in Nigeria, such as Google, Microsoft, TikTok, and others, collectively paid ₦2.55 trillion in taxes to the Nigerian government in the first half of 2024.
This announcement was made in a statement by Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s director of corporate communications and media relations, referencing data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
NITDA commended the companies, including Google, Microsoft, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, for adhering to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.
This Code, jointly introduced by NITDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), aims to promote online safety and mitigate harmful content on digital platforms.
The agency highlighted the positive impact of the regulatory framework, attributing it to the significant increase in government revenue.
NITDA stated, “Data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveal that foreign digital companies, including interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries, contributed over ₦2.55 trillion (approximately $1.5 billion) in taxes in H1 2024. This remarkable revenue growth underscores the critical role of effective regulatory frameworks in fostering compliance and driving economic progress within the digital sector.”
NITDA also shared insights into the platforms’ efforts to comply with the Code of Practice, noting substantial progress in addressing user safety concerns in alignment with regulatory guidelines and internal community standards.
Statistics from 2023 revealed that digital platforms registered 4,125,283 complaints. These platforms also facilitated 65.8 million content takedown actions, 379,433 cases of removed content re-uploaded after user appeals, and 12.09 million account closures or deactivations.
While acknowledging these achievements,, NITDA stressed the importance of continuous collaboration and innovation to address emerging challenges in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safer and more accountable online environment.
