Twitter reacts to conditional end of Nigeria ban following ‘productive, respectful’ talks

social media platform Twitter has said that it is looking forward to being reinstated in Nigeria following “productive” discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. According to BBC, a Twitter spokesperson on Friday, 1 October, said that social media website continues to eng with Nigerian government, and is committed to charting a path forward to restoration of Twitter for everyone in Nigeria. spokesperson added that discussion with Nigerian government have been “respectful and productive,” and Twitter is w looking forward to seeing service restored “very soon”. 

Twitter’s statement follows President Buhari’s anuncement that months-long ban on social media website will be lifted, but only after certain conditions are met. On Friday, Buhari anunced that he has ordered lifting of ban on Twitter provided certain conditions are met. He stated that suspension of micro-blogging website will be lifted if Twitter follows national regulations. 

Buhari directs conditional lifting of Twitter ban

Addressing nation on country's independence day, Buhari said that after government anunced suspension of Twitter in country, y contacted government to resolve issue, according to ANI. Buhari added that Presidential committee was set up by government in order to eng with Twitter. 

"Following extensive engments, issues are being addressed and I have directed that suspension be lifted but only if conditions are met to allow our citizens continue use of platform for business and positive engments" Nigerian President was quoted as saying by Punch, a Nigerian daily.

Furrmore, he mentioned that telecommunications companies will grant access to Twitter in Nigeria if y pay taxes and follow "national security and local content on social network", according to AP. Even though he did t explain how plan will be executed, he mentioned that y must ensure that companies use platform to "enhance lives of our people". 

It is worth mentioning that Nigerian authorities had banned Twitter’s operation in country on June 5 two days after microblogging platform deleted a post of Buhari. In tweet, Buhari had threatened to treat separatists "in langu y will understand", according to Associated Press. authorities have refuted claims that deletion of posts is reason for banning Twitter. While banning Twitter, government said, " persistent use of platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence".

(With inputs from ncies)