The Federal Government of Nigeria has lifted the seven-month-long suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and Chairman of the Technical Committee for Nigeria-Twitter Engagement, announced the decision.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Abdullahi said the approval came as a result of a memo written to the President by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.
According to him, the suspension was the result of some unscrupulous elements using the platform for subversive and criminal purposes, spreading fake news, and polarizing Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among other things.
According to Abdullahi, issues relating to national security, cohesion, and the effects of Twitter platform abuse compelled the FGN to suspend Twitter’s operations in Nigeria in order to address direct and collateral issues surrounding its operations.
He went on to say that the process of resolving the impasse between the FGN and Twitter Inc. aided in laying the groundwork for a mutually beneficial future with limitless possibilities.
The statement read in part, “The FGN has asked Twitter to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services. These conditions addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws.
“Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the FGN. 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.”
According to the FG, the resolutions reached with Twitter include the formation of a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022, which would be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and the appointment of a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.
“Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law and has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals,” the statement added.
It continued, “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.”
According to Abdullahi, the FGN lifted the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria on January 13, 2022, at midnight, based on the agreements, and encouraged users to maintain ethical behavior and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform.
