Twitter Ban in Nigeria to Be Lifted - Conditions Announced

Nigeria's Twitter Ban: Conditions for Lifting Announced

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria declared on Friday that the existing prohibition on Twitter will be removed, contingent upon the social media company fulfilling specific prerequisites.

This announcement was made during the president’s televised address to the nation commemorating Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day.

Acknowledging Twitter's Role and Concerns

The president recognized Twitter as a tool for information dissemination. However, he also cautioned against malicious actors who exploit the platform to “orchestrate and carry out criminal acts, spread misinformation, and incite ethnic and religious discord.”

Consequently, his administration opted to suspend Twitter’s operations within the country on June 5th. This suspension, he stated, facilitated the implementation of measures designed to mitigate these challenges.

Ongoing Negotiations with Twitter

Efforts are reportedly underway to resolve the situation through direct engagement with the Twitter team.

In August, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, revealed that Nigeria was in discussions with Twitter to reinstate its services. He indicated that ten demands had been presented, with agreements reached on seven. Remaining points of contention involve establishing a local Twitter office, paying taxes within Nigeria, and collaborating with the government on content regulation and the removal of harmful content.

The president’s recent statement reflects a similar position, albeit articulated with greater nuance.

Key Requirements for Lifting the Ban

A committee established by the president, working alongside a national technical team, has been in communication with Twitter to address concerns related to national security and cohesion, registration processes, establishing a physical presence, fair taxation, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the promotion of local content. The ban will be lifted only if Twitter demonstrates agreement with these governmental stipulations.

“Following comprehensive discussions, progress is being made on these issues, and I have instructed that the suspension be lifted, provided the conditions are met, enabling our citizens to continue utilizing the platform for commerce and constructive interaction,” the president affirmed.

The Initial Suspension and Subsequent Criticism

The Nigerian government initially suspended Twitter in June after the company removed a contentious post by the president, which contained threats against regional secessionist movements.

Despite mounting pressure from the international community and criticism from activists who decried the move as an unnecessary restriction on freedom of expression, the ban remains in effect four months later.

Twitter's Response

While the Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its willingness to work with Twitter to resolve the issue, the social media platform has remained largely silent regarding these developments.

Update: A Twitter spokesperson stated: “We continue to engage with the Nigerian government and we are committed to charting a path forward to the restoration of Twitter for everyone in Nigeria. Discussions with the Nigerian government have been respectful and productive — we look forward to seeing the service restored very soon.”