Nigeria’s Federal Government has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am Thursday, 13th January 2022.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman, Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said in a statement that the approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.
Abdullahi said that In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.
“You may recall that on 5th June 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed.
“Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc.
“Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set up a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team,” Abdullahi said.
He further stated that the immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others.
These issues bordering on National Security, Cohesion and the effects of the abuse of the Twitter platform he said, forced the Federal Government to suspend the operation of Twitter to address the direct and collateral issues around its operations in Nigeria.
“The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices.
“These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon. Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizen’ security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake.
“Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful,” Abdullahi further said.
He disclosed that the process of resolving this impasse between the Federal Government and Twitter Inc. has helped lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities, noting that Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience.
“Therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Federal Government looks forward to providing a conducive environment for Twitter and other global tech companies to achieve their potential and be sustainably profitable in Nigeria,” he said in the statement.
Abdullahi said that while appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, the Federal Government is happy to say that the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable.
He listed some of the gains to include Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria; Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses; and Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria.
Others include a Smooth and coordinated relationship between the Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust; Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.; and Working with Twitter and other global companies to build an acceptable code of conduct following the global best practice.
DigitalTimesNG understands that the lifting of the suspension may not have come without some conditions set for Twitter by the Federal Government as Abdullahi noted that the Federal Government asked Twitter to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services.
These conditions according to the statement, addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws even as Abdullahi added that Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the Federal Government.
“Consequently, the FGN and Twitter have decided on an execution timeline, which has started this week.
“Our engagement with Twitter opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy and sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians,” the statement further revealed.
FG’s Resolutions with Twitter Inc
“Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.
“Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel.
“Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
“Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules.
“At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus.
“Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work 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.”
The Federal Government, therefore, encourages all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform.
“As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.
“Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter. The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils,” the Federal Government said in the statement.