Google, Meta, TikTok and others pay N2.55 trillion taxes to Nigeria in half-year 2024
Foreign digital companies operating in Nigeria, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, among others, have paid a total of N2.55 trillion in taxes in the first half of this year.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) revealed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, quoting data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
NITDA specifically, commended Google, Microsoft, X, and TikTok for their compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries.
The Code which was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA outlines clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content.
While highlighting the impacts of the regulatory framework, NITDA noted that this has also boosted the government’s revenue through the payment of taxes by digital companies.
“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 (such as social media platforms) operating in Nigeria, contributed over N2.55 trillion (approximately $1.5 billion) in taxes in H1 2024.
“This significant increase in revenue underscores the role of robust regulatory frameworks in shaping compliance and driving revenue growth in the digital economy,” NITDA stated.
Providing an update on the level of compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries, NITDA said all the digital platforms have been making efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code and the platforms’ community guidelines.
The IT regulatory agency also revealed that the social media platforms deactivated about 12.1 million accounts of Nigerians last year for various unarmed offences, while 65.8m contents of Nigerians were taken down for contravening the policies of the social media platforms.
Also, 4.126m registered complaints from Nigerians were received by the social media platforms while 379,433 Nigerian contents were removed and later re-uploaded, following an appeal by the Nigerian owners.
NITDA “commended Google, X, Microsoft, and TikTok for their compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries. The Code which was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and NITDA outlines clear guidelines for promoting online safety and managing harmful content.”
NITDA in June 2022 announced the Code, which seeks to regulate social media blogs and online publications.
The Code requires internet platforms, including social media, to take specific actions regarding unlawful content. Platforms must act promptly when notified by a user or an authorized government agency about the presence of unlawful material.
They are required to remove, disable, or block access to non-consensual content such as private images, nudity, sexual acts, deepfakes, or revenge porn, especially if the material is intended to harass, defame, or intimidate an individual.
Additionally, platforms must disclose the identity of content creators when ordered by a court.
Such orders are issued to prevent, detect, investigate, or prosecute offenses related to Nigeria’s sovereignty, public order, security, diplomatic relationships, felony, incitement to commit these offenses, or crimes such as rape, child abuse, or sexually explicit material.
