Social media platform TikTok has denied restricting access to its services in parts of Northern Nigeria, saying it is engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve the difficulties reported by users.
The company’s Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Keagile Makgoba, made this known in a statement on Monday, following weeks of complaints from users who have struggled to access the platform normally.
“We can confirm that this restriction was not implemented by TikTok,” Makgoba said, adding that the company remained committed to ensuring continued access for its community.
The reported disruption has affected users in Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto states, where some people have complained about videos failing to load, feeds becoming unresponsive and difficulties uploading content.
The complaints reportedly began around September 14, with some affected users claiming they could access the platform after connecting through virtual private networks (VPNs).
However, TikTok has not identified the cause of the disruption, disclosed the stakeholders involved in its discussions or provided a timeline for when normal access might be restored.
Civil society groups demand investigation
The development follows calls by a coalition of civil society organisations for an independent investigation into the reported disruption.
The groups urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), telecommunications operators and other relevant authorities to establish whether the difficulties resulted from a technical fault, network-related problems or an intentional restriction.
They also called for the findings to be made public, citing concerns about freedom of expression, access to information and the impact on people who depend on the platform for their livelihoods.
TikTok’s denial does not establish who or what is responsible for the reported access problems. The cause remains unclear pending further investigation and clarification from the relevant stakeholders.
For content creators, small businesses and digital marketers who rely on TikTok to reach audiences, the prolonged disruption could affect their online visibility, promotional activities and income.
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