Tiktok Imposes Nighttime Streaming Ban In Nigeria Amid Content Violations

TikTok's New Streaming Restrictions in Nigeria

TikTok has temporarily blocked late-night LIVE streaming for millions of users in Nigeria, a response to a worrying spike in explicit content that breaches the platform's community guidelines. This measure halts users from starting or viewing LIVE sessions between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am local time, aiming to curb the distribution of adult content.

Only creators with over 1,000 followers received in-app notifications about this change, as TikTok suspended all overnight LIVE activities. Those attempting to stream during these hours now find the option disabled, prominently marked "No Access," reinforcing the platform's commitment to enforcing this new rule nationwide.

Platform's Strategy Against Harmful Content

Part of TikTok’s broader effort to eliminate exploitative and harmful behavior, this temporary suspension aligns with its strategy to review safety protocols comprehensively. "The suspension is a temporary measure as it reviews safety protocols and works to clamp down on exploitative behavior on the platform," stated a TikTok spokesperson.

“The suspension is a temporary measure as it reviews safety protocols and works to clamp down on exploitative behavior on the platform.”

The platform hasn't specified when the restriction will lift, leaving Nigerian creators uncertain about the return of their usual late-night broadcasts. Nigeria, being one of TikTok's most active markets, has seen significant enforcement due to the high volume of policy breaches.

Scale of the Problem: Alarming Statistics

Data reveals Nigeria as a top priority for TikTok's enforcement actions. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, more than 49,000 Nigerian LIVE sessions were banned for violating monetization and community guidelines. Additionally, 3.6 million videos from Nigerian users were removed for breaching Community Guidelines, primarily driven by streams with explicit and monetized sexual activities.

This surge in policy-violating content, especially during late-night hours, has prompted TikTok to respond decisively to protect its community. The temporary nighttime ban directly addresses the need to mitigate risks associated with child endangerment and inappropriate content distribution.