Concerned by reports of unresolved disruptions affecting access to TikTok in parts of northern Nigeria, notably Kaduna, Kebbi, Kano, and Sokoto, reported by Citizens. What began as intermittent access difficulties around September 14, 2026, has grown into a multi-week digital blackout. We, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs) working on digital rights, freedom of expression, access to information, and the civic space, issue this preliminary statement to bring these challenges to the urgent attention of relevant public authorities, telecommunications providers, platform operators, the media and the general public.

 

The information available from our preliminary investigations indicates that millions of citizens whose livelihoods depend on the social media platforms have experienced difficulties loading TikTok, viewing videos and uploading content through ordinary mobile-data connections. The disruption is not attributable to a single internet service provider, as access to service is guaranteed only for some through virtual private networks (VPNs).

 

The reports and information have not, however, established whether the disruption results from a technical failure, a network routing problem, a platform-side malfunction, a traffic management measure, or an intentional restriction. As of the latest reports reviewed, no public explanation has established the cause.

 

While we adopt the neutral term “TikTok Disruption” pending further technical evidence, over two weeks of institutional silence is cause of concern.

 

Access to digital platforms and online information has become an important part of communication, journalism, civic participation, business, and public discourse in Nigeria as in other parts of the world. Unexplained social media disruptions not only undermine democracy but also truncate the local economy.

 

Recommendations

 

Based on the information currently available as well as the seriousness and urgency of the issue, the coalition calls on the Federal Government, relevant regulators, telecommunications operators and TikTok to take the following steps:

 

Establish and Publicly Disclose the Cause of the Disruption

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), as well as the relevant departments and agencies of affected State Governments, should urgently investigate the reported disruption, in cooperation with affected mobile network operators, Internet service providers and TikTok, and publish its findings.

 

End any Access Restriction Without a Clear Legal Basis

 

In the event that the problem is the result of an intentional disruption, the Government and all regulatory and security agencies should immediately put an end to or refrain from directing or facilitating the blocking, throttling or disruption of access to TikTok or any other Internet platform except where such action is clearly authorised by law and satisfies applicable human-rights requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and proportionality.

 

This is consistent with the constitutional provisions of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protects freedom of expression, including the right to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, subject to constitutionally permitted limitations. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights similarly recognises freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental rights and provides that restrictions must be provided by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary in a democratic society.

 

Provide Immediate Transparency if any Government Action is Involved

 

If any government institution has issued an instruction, directive, request or order affecting TikTok access, the relevant authority should publicly disclose the existence of such an instruction, directive, request or order; its legal basis, scope, duration and purpose.

 

Require Telecommunications Operators to Provide Timely Outage Information

 

Telecommunications operators and other service providers should be required to clearly inform affected consumers about the nature and extent of any major network disruption and the expected restoration period. The NCC should therefore clarify whether the reported TikTok disruptions have been logged as network incidents and, where applicable, require affected operators to provide appropriate consumer information and remedies.

 

Conduct Independent Technical Measurements

 

The NCC should facilitate independent network testing in the affected locations, including through qualified researchers and civil society organisations with relevant technical expertise, which should help to distinguish an ordinary technical outage from deliberate or inadvertent network-level interference.

 

Testing should examine whether there is evidence of Domain Name System (DNS) interference, IP or domain blocking, Server Name Indication (SNI) or protocol interference, throttling, routing anomalies, application-specific filtering, differences between mobile networks, differences between mobile and fixed-line connections, and differences between affected and unaffected geographical areas.

 

Protect the Right to Access Information Online

 

The government should recognise, as has been repeatedly stated by relevant regional and international bodies, that access to digital platforms is increasingly connected to the exercise of other rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, association, education, and participation in public affairs, among others. A right emphasized by the UN Special Rapporteur noting that meaningful Internet access is important to the enjoyment of multiple human rights and that States should refrain from interfering with Internet and digital communications platforms unless such interference complies with applicable human-rights standards.

 

Ensure that National-Security Considerations do not Become a Blanket Justification

 

Where the Government and/or regulatory authorities, security, law enforcement and intelligence agencies believe that activity on a digital platform presents a genuine national-security or public-order concern, the response should be directed at the specific unlawful conduct or content rather than imposing a broad restriction on access to an entire platform. Any intervention should be based on demonstrable evidence, lawful authority and appropriate procedural safeguards.

 

Consult Civil Society and Technical Experts

 

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NCC, NITDA, ONSA and other relevant agencies should establish a mechanism for engaging civil society, technical experts, digital-rights organisations, academia, affected users and industry representatives when investigating significant disruptions to access to online platforms.

 

This is consistent with the Federal Government’s July 2026 decision, announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, to establish a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) under the leadership of the Office of the Minister, to coordinate technical engagements, undertake broad consultations with industry, civil society, academia and other stakeholders, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.

 

Protect Users from Reprisals for Documenting the Disruption

 

Users, journalists, researchers and CSOs should be free to document and report Internet disruptions through lawful means and, accordingly, the Government and security agencies should not intimidate, harass, arrest or otherwise penalise individuals merely for reporting difficulties accessing an online platform, conducting legitimate network measurements or discussing the implications of an apparent disruption.

Avoid Unnecessary, Over-Generalised or Overly Broad Restrictions on Use of VPNs

 

The reported fact that some users have regained access to TikTok through VPNs should not, by itself, be treated as evidence of unlawful conduct. Any attempt to restrict VPNs or other technologies used to maintain lawful access to communications services should be subject to the same requirements of legality, legitimate purpose, necessity and proportionality.

 

Require TikTok to Communicate with Affected Users

 

TikTok should also publicly clarify whether it has identified any technical problems affecting users in northern Nigeria and whether there have been changes to its infrastructure, routing, content-delivery systems or service availability in the country. In the event that the problem originated with TikTok or its service providers, the company should provide affected users with timely information about the problem and expected restoration.

 

Establish a Transparent Protocol for Future Internet Disruptions

 

The Government and regulators should develop and publish a national Internet disruption transparency protocol requiring prompt notification of significant disruptions, identification of the affected service or network, disclosure of the cause, where technically established; disclosure of any government directive or legal order involved, and identification of the geographic and temporal scope. The transparency protocol should also include notification regarding publication of restoration timelines, independent technical verification, where appropriate; post-incident reports, and accessible mechanisms for users to submit complaints and seek remedies.

Such a framework would reduce uncertainty, prevent misinformation and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

 

Publish a Final Investigation Report

 

Following the investigation, the NCC and other relevant authorities should once again publish a comprehensive report to the public stating what happened, where and when it happened, which networks were affected, the technical cause, whether any government agency was involved, whether any legal directive was issued, what remedial action was taken, and what measures will prevent recurrence.

 

Conclusion

 

The reported disruption to TikTok access in parts of northern Nigeria warrants prompt, transparent and independent investigation. The coalition therefore urges the Government and regulators to prioritise transparency, accountability, technical verification and respect for freedom of expression and access to information, while ensuring that any legitimate concerns relating to security, public order or unlawful online activity are addressed through targeted, lawful and proportionate measures rather than unexplained disruption of access to an entire communications platform.

 

In the interim, the coalition will continue to monitor reports from affected users, engage relevant stakeholders, and seek further information to establish the nature and source of the disruption. We will assess the need for further action as additional evidence becomes available. We therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to ensure that any measures affecting access to digital platforms are lawful, transparent, necessary, and consistent with Nigeria’s obligations to protect freedom of expression and access to information.