Twitter INC, the United States government and Nigerians have been reacting to the decision of the federal government of Nigeria to lift ban on the micro-blogging site.
FG through the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on Wednesday announced the approval for the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria with effect from 12am on Thursday, 13th January 2022.
The decision came after 222 days the FG suspended the activities of the Twitter. FG on 5th June 2021, had suspended the activities of Twitter with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made the announcement, accusing Twitter of double standard, saying that the microblogging and social networking service has been used to persistently undermine Nigeria’s corporate existence.
Meanwhile, Twitter has expressed its delight that their micro-blogging site is now available for users in Nigeria.
Twitter through its policy handle also expressed its commitment to ensuring the continued use of the micro-blogging site in Nigeria.
The tweet reads, “We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria. Our mission in Nigeria & around the world, is to serve the public conversation.
“We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation.”
Similarly, the United States mission Nigeria, in its reaction expressed its pleasure at the restoration of Twitter’s services.
The US Mission Nigeria wrote, “We welcome the restoration of Twitter’s services by @NigeriaGov. Social media remains a vital tool for expression, information sharing, and economic growth. We are pleased that access for Nigerians is #BackOn & look forward to continuing to engage and grow with you here.”
Below here are some of the reactions of Nigerians harvested from Twitter;
“The Federal Government should just say they have decided to come back to Twitter instead of claiming to lift the ban.”(@frankedoho)
“Oh Oh… e don tire una?
Welcome back ooo.
“You people banned yourselves not twitter. Na una go!! We never left.”(@mrmacroni)
“Funny how the government is unbanning Twitter just in time for the elections! all to gain CHEAP points!! Funny people.”(@simply_tacha)
“The Twitter ban ruined lives and destroyed small businesses. It was needless and unproductive. The government did not achieve anything banning Twitter in Nigeria 🇳🇬. I honestly hope this never happens again.”(@ogbeniDipo)
