Ban of Twitter in Nigeria

On 5 June 2021, the Nigerian government officially put an indefinite ban on Twitter,^[1][2] restricting it from operating in Nigeria after the social media platform deleted tweets made by the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari warning the south eastern people of Nigeria,^[3][4] predominantly Igbo people, of a potential repeat of the 1967 Biafran Civil War due to the ongoing insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria.^{[5][2][6][1][7][8]} The Nigerian government claimed that the deletion of the President's tweets factored into their decision but it was ultimately based on "a litany of problems with the social media platform in Nigeria, where misinformation and fake news spread through it have had real world violent consequences",^[9] citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence.^[10]

The ban was condemned by Amnesty International^[11] as well as the British and Canadian missions and the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria.^[2] Two domestic organizations - the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)^[12] and the Nigerian Bar Association - have indicated intent to challenge the ban in court.^[2] Twitter itself called the ban "deeply concerning".^[9]

Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised the ban. "Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President", Trump said.^[13]

Nigeria's Cultural Minister Lai Mohammed stated the ban will be lifted once Twitter submits to local licensing, registration and conditions. "It will be licensed by the broadcasting commission, and must agree not to allow its platform to be used by those who are promoting activities that are inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria."^[14]

Background[]

The current Nigerian government has long held concerns over the use of Twitter in the country.^[15] The ongoing local End SARS protest began on Twitter^[16] and got amplified in 2020 when it had 48 million tweets in ten days.^[17] The current government has floated the idea of social media regulation on different occasions prior to banning Twitter.^[18] Attempts to pass an anti-social media bill in the past have failed majorly due to massive outcry on Twitter.^[19] Days before the ban, the country's minister of information called Twitter's activities in Nigeria suspicious, citing its influence on the End SARS protests.^[20]

Aftermath[]

Three days after the ban, it was reported that the ban has cost the country over 6 billion Naira^[21] and will also contribute to the worsening unemployment in the country.^[22] ExpressVPN reported an over 200 percent increase in web traffic^[23] and searches for VPN spiked across the country.^[24]

In a joint statement, the United States and the European Union condemned the ban.^[25] The country's attorney general at first openly threatened to prosecute citizens who bypass the ban but then denied saying so after a screenshot of a Twitter deactivation notification he shared on Facebook showed a VPN logo.^[26]

In late June 2021, Twitter announced it would enter talks with the Nigerian government over the platform's suspension.^[27] The talks began in July 2021.^[28][29]

On 15 September 2021, The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said the Nigerian government will lift the ban on Twitter in a ‘few days.’ The Minister said Twitter gave a progress report of their talks with them, adding that it has been productive and quite respectful.^[30][31]

On October 1 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari in his Independence day broadcast said Twitter must meet the Nigerian government’s five conditions before the suspension of the social media platform will be lifted.^[32] The conditions includes; Twitter must pay attention to national security and cohesion; Registration, physical presence and representation in Nigeria; Fair taxation; Dispute resolution and; Local content.^[33][34]

References[]