Tokunbo Ibrahim serves as TikTok’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa. During the 2026 TikTok Safer Internet Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, she shared insights with PREMIUM TIMES’ Business Editor, Oladeinde Olawoyin, about how the platform engages with Nigeria's regulatory framework.
Tokunbo: "This marks our third summit. The first took place in Ghana, and the second in South Africa, culminating in this event in Kenya. The summit is designed to foster discussions not only with government officials but also with civil society and content creators, ensuring we address safety from multiple angles. It's essential to recognize that safety is a multifaceted challenge that neither the public nor private sectors can tackle alone."
She acknowledged the significance of Nigerian regulators, noting that during the previous summit in South Africa, delegates from various governmental agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Film and Censor Board, participated.
"This year, we sought to build on last year’s success. We invited representatives from NITDA and the Film and Censor Board, highlighting their roles as crucial voices in ongoing discussions, especially concerning AI policy, which is the primary theme of this year's summit. Recognizing Nigeria as Africa's giant, it was imperative for NITDA to contribute its perspective. The Minister of Communications, Honourable Bosun Tijani, is especially enthusiastic about AI, which is no longer seen as a distant concept but rather a current reality. Engaging Nigerian stakeholders and their insights is foundational to these discussions."
Addressing a question about why the summit hasn't occurred in Nigeria yet, Tokunbo expressed that plans for a future event in Nigeria are indeed underway, although this year wasn't convenient due to existing initiatives, including a safety workshop with the Office of the National Security Adviser. Additionally, they plan to work closely with the Film and Censor Board and educate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria about digital literacy and online safety.
Another inquiry involved partnerships with the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in relation to the data privacy law. Tokunbo mentioned that TikTok is in the process of finalizing discussions regarding joint initiatives with the NDPC, although details are still being negotiated.
A notable concern raised by Nigerian TikTok users pertains to disparities in the platform's monetization programs compared to those in other regions. Tokunbo clarified that many perceive monetization based strictly on experiences from other platforms, which may differ significantly. TikTok offers diverse monetization avenues, such as live gifting and subscriptions, in addition to brand partnerships created through the recognition gained on the platform. She reassured that opportunities for creators to earn can still be substantial through these channels, even if certain features are in the testing phase.
When addressing safety tools available for monitoring teenagers on TikTok, Tokunbo outlined the platform's offerings, including features like parent pairing, which allows parents to set usage limits and monitor their children’s activities effectively. She emphasized that TikTok is committed to ensuring a safe space for younger users, with different privacy settings in effect for users aged under 18.
Further, when asked about government requests for content removal, Tokunbo explained that TikTok encourages authorities to submit takedown requests to help maintain safety on the platform. Each request undergoes assessment according to the platform's community guidelines. If a request does not align with these guidelines, the government is informed. However, any requests citing breaches of local law will be scrutinized in coordination with legal experts.
In conclusion, she shared that proactive communication with the Nigerian government has been key to avoiding sanctions. This approach includes transparency reports about content moderation actions and trends observed on the platform to foster collaborative safety efforts, ultimately minimizing the likelihood of punitive actions.
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