In the first half of this year, foreign digital businesses that operate in Nigeria—including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok—paid a total of N2.55 trillion in taxes.
Using information from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, its Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations.
Google, Microsoft, X, and TikTok were particularly recognized by NITDA for adhering to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA together released the Code, which provides precise instructions for fostering online safety and controlling offensive content.
NITDA pointed out the effects of the regulatory framework while also pointing out that it has increased government income by allowing digital enterprises to pay taxes.
Foreign digital businesses operating in Nigeria, including interactive computer service platforms and internet intermediaries (like social media platforms), paid more than N2.55 trillion (roughly $1.5 billion) in taxes in the first half of 2024, according to data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“This notable revenue boost highlights how strong regulatory frameworks influence compliance and propel revenue growth in the digital economy as stated by NITDA.
According to NITDA, which provided an update on the degree of adherence to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, all digital platforms have been working to resolve user safety issues in accordance with the Code and the community guidelines of the platforms.
The IT regulatory body also disclosed that over 12.1 million Nigerian accounts were deleted by social media companies last year for a variety of non-violent offenses, while 65.8 million Nigerian-generated content was removed for violating the platforms’ rules.
Additionally, social media platforms got 4.126 million registered complaints from Nigerians, and after an appeal by the Nigerian owners, 379,433 Nigerian items were taken down and then re-uploaded.
For adhering to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, Google, X, Microsoft, and TikTok were praised by NITDA. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA together released the Code, which provides precise instructions for fostering online safety and controlling offensive content.
The Code, which aims to control online publications and blogs on social media, was introduced by NITDA in June 2022.
Social media and other online platforms are required by the Code to take particular measures in relation to illegal content. When a user or an authorized government agency alerts a platform to the existence of illegal content, the platform is required to take immediate action.
Non-consensual content, including deepfakes, sexual activities, private photos, nudity, and revenge porn, must be removed, disabled, or blocked, particularly if the content is meant to harass, slander, or threaten someone.
Organizations are also required by court orders to reveal the identities of content providers.
These directives are given in order to stop, identify, look into, or prosecute crimes pertaining to Nigeria’s sovereignty, public order, security, diplomatic relations, criminal activity, incitement to commit these crimes, or crimes like child abuse, rape, or the dissemination of sexually explicit content.