TikTok Blocks Late-Night LIVEs In Nigeria Amid Safety Probe

By IKE UZOR-NZUBECHI

TIKTOK has temporarily restricted late-night LIVE streaming in Nigeria, blocking hosts from going live between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. as part of what it described as an ongoing safety investigation. The platform said the move was aimed at protecting users after a surge in policy-violating content. Affected creators received in-app notifications informing them of the suspension.

The decision followed TikTok’s Q2 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which disclosed that 49,512 LIVE sessions originating from Nigeria were banned over violations of LIVE monetization rules, including sexually explicit performances and other adult-themed content that breached community standards.

Although the restriction was lifted by the morning of 8th December, the temporary shutdown triggered widespread debate. Supporters viewed it as a necessary step to curb explicit content and shield younger audiences, while many creators—especially those who rely on late-night traffic for income—criticized the interruption to their earnings. TikTok noted that it has imposed similar measures in other regions facing spikes in guideline violations, calling the pause part of a wider safety review for Nigerian users.