CSOs Demand Investigation into TikTok Disruption in Nigeria

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has raised alarms regarding the unexplained disruption of the TikTok social media platform in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto. This issue began with intermittent access difficulties around September 14, 2026, escalating into a multi-week digital blackout.

The joint statement, signed by various organizations including Accountability Lab (AL) Nigeria and Paradigm Initiative (PIN), highlights that millions of citizens reliant on TikTok for their livelihoods have faced challenges in loading videos and uploading content. The disruption is not linked to a single internet service provider, as some users can access the platform through virtual private networks (VPNs).

The CSOs have called for an urgent investigation by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and other relevant authorities to determine the cause of the disruption, which remains publicly unexplained after two weeks of silence.