X (formerly Twitter) has been placed at the top of the list of social media platforms where Nigerians experience online harm, with 34% of users reporting issues such as cyberbullying, misinformation, and harassment.
The findings were disclosed in Abuja by Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, who emphasised the urgent need for stronger interventions to protect users.
The report, titled The State of Online Harms in Nigeria, was conducted by Gatefield with support from Luminate and surveyed over 500 Nigerians.
According to the study, young people aged 25 to 34 and women are disproportionately affected, with 58% experiencing some form of online abuse. Despite widespread reports of harmful content, 31% of respondents stated that such content remains online without any action from the platforms.
“These findings are not just statistics, they represent real people facing online abuse, misinformation, and harassment every day. Tech platforms must do more to protect users, and policymakers need to step in where platforms fail,” Ewang stated.
The report also revealed that while 60% of Nigerians have reported cases of online harm, most believe no action was taken. Twitter (X) ranked as the worst platform in addressing harmful content, followed by Facebook (29%) and WhatsApp (12%). In contrast, Instagram was identified as the most responsive, with 26% of users stating that it effectively handles complaints.
A major concern highlighted in the study is the lack of transparency in content moderation by tech giants. Many Nigerians believe these platforms prioritise profits over user safety, with little accountability for harmful content.
Beyond online abuse, misinformation was identified as the most pressing digital threat in Nigeria, with 99% of respondents citing fake news as a significant issue.
Furthermore, 91% of Nigerians expressed concerns that big tech companies wield excessive influence over democracy, raising fears about the role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion and governance.
Experts at the event warned that unchecked misinformation could have severe consequences for national security, elections, and public health. Digital rights advocates called for stronger regulations to ensure tech companies are held accountable and improve content moderation policies.
As Nigeria continues to embrace digital platforms, the report calls on social media companies, civil society organisations, and policymakers to take urgent steps to protect users and create a safer online space.
