Nigeria Set to Lift Two-month Twitter Ban After ‘Extremely Positive’ Talks

The Nigerian government says the ban on operations of microblogging platform Twitter will be lifted soon following “extremely positive” talks.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the country’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said negotiations with the social networking service site have been largely successful as some of the issues it raised with the company has been resolved.

Nigeria had on June 4 announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter’s operation following the deleting of tweets made by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had threatened to treat members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the language they understand.
The West African country also cited “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence” as the reason for the suspension.
Mr Mohammed however told journalists that the areas still pending include setting up a Twitter office and having a Twitter staff of management cadre that will serve as the country representative.
The minister says most of the conditions given to the platform have been accepted. “The end for amicable resolution is very much in sight,” Mr Mohammed said.

“We appreciate the patience of Nigerians. I want to assure you that we have made very tremendous progress. We have met with Twitter both physically and in writing. We are actually almost there.

“The engagement has been extremely positive without any acrimony. We have made it clear what we want from Twitter.”
“They (Twitter) have shown a lot of flexibility, the conversation has not been acrimonious.”
By Abel Ejikeme

 

Follow us on:

Abel Ejikeme

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

7 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

12 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

15 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

15 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

15 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

16 hours ago