TikTok has temporarily banned Nigerians from going live at night, with reports showing the restriction runs from 11pm to 5am daily. Users say the ban does not only stop Nigerians from going live, it also blocks them from viewing live broadcasts from other countries. Many confirmed that all live activities have been limited, with the notice issued through TikTok’s system notifications.
“We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected,” the notification stated.
One user said, “I woke up to an official system notification, and the LIVE button has disappeared completely.” Others also reported they could not stream live in other regions.
This night-time ban is believed to be connected to increasing reports of inappropriate activities on late-night live sessions.
As a result, timeline engagement becomes dull during those hours, affecting people who depend on the feature for income.
Some Nigerians reportedly misused the live function by hosting adult themed content while viewers watched and sent gifts. This raised safety and moderation concerns.
TikTok’s recent data highlights the scale of enforcement. In its Q1 2025 moderation report, the company said it removed over 3.6 million videos from Nigeria between January and March 2025 for breaking community rules.
In Q2 2025, TikTok banned 49,512 live sessions in Nigeria. Globally, it took action on more than 2.3 million live sessions and over 1 million creators for violating guidelines.
Thr federal government has also taken steps toward safer digital spaces. In November 2024, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) partnered with TikTok under the #SaferTogether campaign to educate parents, teachers, and youths on risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and harmful content.
In October 2025, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said Nigeria must set its own TikTok rules and steer the platform toward “skill-building, innovation and productive digital engagement” instead of purely entertainment. This is a developing story.
