… As Twitter Agrees To Set Up Nigerian Office in 2022
There are indications that the Federal Government is planning on soft-pedalling in its decision to hold on to the ban on American microblogging and social networking service, Twitter.
Fielding questions after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed updated Nigerians on the issue saying that progress has been made in resolving the stalemate following series of meetings.
According to the minister, the over two months ban on Twitter in Nigeria will soon be lifted as the federal government has reached agreement with Twitter in most areas of misunderstanding.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government had officially banned Twitter operations in Nigeria indefinitely on June 5, 2021 after the social media service deleted tweets made by President Muhammadu Buhari warning the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that they “will be treated in the language they understand.”
The FG had however accused Twitter of being a harbinger of fake news and misinformation, which is said was the basis of the ban, and insisted that the social media platform must meet with some stipulated conditions before it will be unbanned in Nigeria.
Following the ban, there was widespread outrage and disapproval from the Nigerian public, most of who termed the ban as unnecessary and petty.
Lai Mohammed explained that of the conditions given Twitter, the areas still pending include citing a physical office in Nigeria with staff of management cadre as country representative.
The Minister disclosed that on the issue, even though Twitter has agreed to the condition, it is however maintaining that the earliest it can establish such an office will be in 2022.
He expressed confidence that everything will be ironed out with Twitter within a few days or weeks, noting the anxiety that has been shown by Nigerians.
He said the FG’s committee negotiating with Twitter will meet on the agreement soon to make recommendations.
