The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has disclosed that global digital companies, including Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Microsoft, paid N2.55 trillion (approximately $1.5 billion) in taxes to the Nigerian government in the first half of 2024.
The development marks a significant boost in government revenue from the digital economy sector.
NITDA made this announcement in a statement released on X on Wednesday, titled “NITDA Commends Tech Giants for Adhering to Code of Practice.”
Persecondnews reports that the agency attributed the revenue surge to increased compliance with Nigeria’s tax regulations by foreign digital platforms operating within the country.
The statement, signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Head of Public Affairs, cited data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“This significant increase in revenue underscores the role of robust regulatory frameworks in shaping compliance and driving revenue growth in the digital economy,” the statement said.
NITDA also provided updates on content moderation efforts by the social media platforms in 2023.
The agency revealed that approximately 12.1 million Nigerian accounts were deactivated for various policy violations, while 65.8 million pieces of Nigerian content were removed for breaching platform rules.
In addition, 4.126 million user complaints from Nigerians were registered by the platforms.
Of these, 379,433 pieces of content were initially removed but later reinstated after successful appeals by the content creators.
NITDA commended Google, X, Microsoft, TikTok, and other platforms for adhering to the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries.
The Code, jointly issued by NITDA, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), aims to enhance online safety and address harmful content effectively.
The agency praised the platforms’ efforts to uphold user safety, urging continued collaboration and innovation to tackle emerging digital challenges.
“The 2023 compliance report provides valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and community guidelines,” NITDA said.
The agency emphasized that while progress has been made, maintaining a safer and more responsible digital space requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
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