A group of 12 civil society organisations in Nigeria has urged the federal government to investigate the prolonged disruption of access to TikTok in parts of Northern Nigeria. The disruption, which started in mid-September 2026, has affected users in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto states. The organisations, including the Accountability Lab Nigeria and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, expressed concern over the lack of explanation from relevant authorities and service providers.
The disruption has left users unable to load the platform or use or upload content via ordinary mobile data connections. The affected citizens use TikTok for communication, business, and other activities. The civil society organisations have requested that the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency, and the Office of the National Security Adviser investigate the matter and publish their findings.
The organisations also demanded that any government involvement in the disruption be made public. They warned that any intentional restriction of access to TikTok or any other Internet platform should have a clear legal basis and comply with applicable human rights standards. The growing importance of digital platforms to economic and civic activities has heightened concerns over the disruption.
The civil society organisations have called on the affected state governments, telecommunications operators, and TikTok to participate in the investigation. They emphasised the need for a collaborative effort to resolve the issue and ensure that citizens' rights are protected. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the disruption and find a solution.
The disruption has been ongoing for over two weeks, and users are yet to find a resolution. The Nigerian Communications Commission and other relevant authorities have not commented on the issue. The civil society organisations' request for an investigation is an effort to ensure that citizens' rights are protected and that the disruption is resolved promptly.
The issue highlights the importance of digital rights and the need for governments and service providers to ensure that citizens' access to digital platforms is not restricted without a clear legal basis. The investigation's outcome will be crucial in determining the cause of the disruption and ensuring that citizens' rights are protected.
The coalition of civil society organisations is pushing for transparency and accountability in the investigation. They aim to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected and that digital platforms are accessible to all. The incident has raised concerns about the role of governments and service providers in regulating digital platforms.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has been urged to investigate the disruption of access to TikTok in parts of Northern Nigeria.
- The disruption has affected users in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto states.
- The civil society organisations have requested that the investigation be conducted in collaboration with the affected state governments, telecommunications operators, and TikTok.
