Lagos, Nigeria – December 8, 2025 – TikTok has introduced temporary restrictions on its LIVE streaming feature in Nigeria, blocking access between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily. The measure took effect immediately after an in-app notification was sent to millions of users at midnight on Sunday, December 7.
Users attempting to go live or watch international broadcasts during the restricted hours are greeted with a “No Access” message. The platform described the move as part of an ongoing safety review aimed at protecting the community, particularly during late-night periods when inappropriate content has been reported more frequently.
TikTok has not announced when normal access will resume, stating only that the restriction is temporary and that further updates will be shared as the investigation continues.
The decision follows growing concerns over explicit and harmful behavior on some late-night LIVE sessions, where creators have been accused of engaging in or encouraging sexual content in exchange for virtual gifts and donations. Such streams have occasionally attracted thousands of viewers, raising serious questions about exploitation, underage exposure, and platform accountability.
This is not the first time TikTok has tightened controls in Nigeria. Earlier data released by the company showed that between April and June 2025 alone, it banned 49,512 LIVE sessions in the country for violating community guidelines. During the same period, TikTok removed nearly 3.8 million videos nationwide — the vast majority before they gained significant views — demonstrating aggressive use of both automated detection and human moderation.
The late-night blackout comes just weeks after TikTok hosted its first West Africa Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal, on November 20, 2025. At the event, company representatives shared detailed enforcement statistics and reaffirmed their commitment to working with governments, civil society, and local experts to combat misinformation, child exploitation, violent extremism, and hate speech across the region.
Nigeria remains one of TikTok’s largest and most active markets in Africa, with over 37 million users and a thriving creator ecosystem. LIVE streaming has become a major income source for thousands of young Nigerians, who use nighttime hours — when engagement peaks — to connect with both local and international audiences through entertainment, comedy, football reactions, and lifestyle content.
The sudden restriction has sparked mixed reactions. While many users and child protection advocates have welcomed the move as a necessary step toward a safer platform, others — especially full-time creators — have expressed frustration over lost earning opportunities during their most lucrative hours. Some popular influencers have already begun shifting focus to pre-recorded content, brand partnerships, and alternative platforms.
Despite the backlash, TikTok insists the measure is not punitive but protective, emphasizing that the vast majority of Nigerian creators follow the rules and contribute positively to the community.
As the review continues, industry observers say the outcome could set an important precedent for how global platforms balance rapid growth with responsible moderation in Africa’s fast-evolving digital space.
For now, Nigeria’s TikTok creators — and their millions of fans — will have to wait until sunrise to go live again.
