Wow – this is a Nollywood movie except that it is a real act. Yes, the Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended Twitter in Nigeria, indefinitely: “The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria. ….The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.”
This is coming after the microblogging company removed a tweet by the Nigerian leader where he threatened fire on his fellow citizens. Now you see why Twitter chose Ghana for its headquarters. Many of us expect Twitter to relocate its West African headquarters to Lagos, from 2024, as most of its West African operations are in Nigeria.
I hope Nigeria understands the perils of fighting Twitter: Twitter has nothing to lose but the government’s global standing and possibility of trial in Hague are things to consider. Osisi anayi anwu mgbe egbujiri ya [ tree does not show dead leaves immediately it is cut down] Yes, the actions of men live long!
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Let us wait to know if the Central Bank of Nigeria will block all transactions from Nigeria to Twitter for adverts and promotions. Nigerian democracy!
The press release
The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
Segun Adeyemi
Special Assistant To The President (Media)
Office of the Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
4 June 2021
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