Nigerian government lift its seven months ban on Twitter
As a Nigerian living in Nigeria, did you log in on your Twitter account in the wee hours of today and find out that it is working perfectly well, and you did not need to use VPN services?
Well, what happened is, while you were asleep, the Nigerian government lifted its 7 months ban on the social media application, after claiming that it has met all its requirements, including opening a local office in Nigeria and appointing a representative in the country.
On the 4th of June 2021, the Nigerian government suspended Twitter after the firm deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari about punishing regional separatists. President Buhari’s tweet referred to the 1967-70 Nigerian Civil War and addressed “those misbehaving today” in “the language they would understand” was removed from Twitter. The government went on to order internet providers to block Twitter, claiming that it was being used to undermine “Nigeria’s business existence” by propagating fake news with “violent consequences.” Authorities also charged the social media company with supporting secessionists.
A senior government official stated on Wednesday, 12th of January 2022, that the government will lift a ban on Twitter from midnight after the social media site agreed to create a local office, among other accords with authorities in the West African country.
President Buhari had given authority to lift the ban, according to Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency. Abdullahi in a statement made it known that “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) authorizes me to tell the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria effective from 12 am, 13th January 2022,” according to the statement. “The approval came when the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim, wrote a memo to the President. The minister updated and requested the President’s consent for the lifting in the Memo, based on the advice of the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement.”
The statement added, “Twitter has agreed to act with respect for Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation is based, and to collaborate with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries.”
Twitter has agreed, according to the Nigerian government to the following demands:
- In the first quarter of 2022, it will be registered in Nigeria.
- Appoint a representative in the country.
- Abide by the tax responsibilities in Nigeria. “Twitter has agreed to comply with all applicable tax responsibilities imposed by Nigerian law on its activities.” Adding that Nigeria has accepted to join Twitter’s Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals.
- Enrol Nigeria in its platform to facilitate direct communication between government officials and Twitter to monitor forbidden content that breaches Twitter’s community rules.
- Act courteously, acknowledging Nigerian laws. The portals will be used by Twitter personnel and Nigerian law enforcement organizations to regulate forbidden content that breaches Twitter community guidelines and to present a report if Twitter violates Nigerian laws. “Twitter has agreed to act with respect for Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation is based, and to collaborate with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries,” Abdullahi added.
According to Nigeria’s information technology development agency, the social media company’s choice to register in the country demonstrated its commitment to the country.
Twitter is yet to clarify whether it had agreed to the government’s demands, but it did say it was “pleased” to be back in Nigeria and that it was “truly committed” to the country in a tweet made available on its official handle.
Millions of individuals in Africa’s most populous country will be able to utilize the app again as a result of this move. Numerous Nigerians used virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the site after it was shut down, but most businesses, including many media outlets, followed the government’s orders. According to analysts, the ban has cost the Nigerian economy millions of dollars, particularly to small businesses who utilize the platform to communicate with their clients. Nigeria’s decision to suspend Twitter, initially permanently but later changed it to temporarily, backfired on the government, costing the country money in terms of new technology investment. The ban took a toll on struggling Nigeria’s economy, leading to a loss of N7.5 billion in just three days.
Many Nigerians, however, suspect that the lifting of the ban is due to the commencement of campaigning for next year’s federal elections. Although the campaign has not yet formally begun, politicians are well aware of the power of Nigeria Twitter, particularly among young people, many of whom have continued to tweet via VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
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