President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the lifting if the ban the Federal Government placed on the services of social media app, Twitter.
In his Independence Day speech on Friday, October 1, 2021, President Buhari said that the lifting of the ban is conditional on ensuring Nigerians use the platform for business and positive engagements.
The Federal Government had controversially banned the platform in June, accusing it of endorsing activities that are destabilising Nigeria.
Buhari said that some have been using it as a platform to coordinate criminal activities, spread fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
The President also announced that the Presidential Committee he constituted, along with its Technical Team, to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue that led to the suspension of Twitter’s activities in Nigeria had successfully addressed a number of key issues.
He said, “Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
“The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are: National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical presence and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content.
“Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted, but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.’’
The president stated that government was committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.
