The lifting of the Twitter ban comes after a statement by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, by the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), following the suspension approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting to the news, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) said it is happy that the ban has been lifted and access to the microblogging platform has been restored.

“Nonetheless, we insist the arbitrary suspension was a gross violation of the people’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression and association enshrined in the Nigerian constitution,” PIN said in a statement signed by the Communications Officer, Valery Njiaba.

“These rights are also protected by international instruments and highlighted in the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, adopted by the African Commission in November 2019, at its 65th Ordinary Session, which provides in Principle 38 (1) and (2) that “States shall not interfere with the right of individuals to seek, receive and impart information through any means of communication and digital technologies, through measures such as the removal, blocking or filtering of content, unless such interference is justifiable and compatible with international human rights law and standards” and that “States shall not engage in or condone any disruption of access to the internet and other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.”

“Although we consider the reverse of the ban long overdue, its effects were detrimental to the nation and cannot be overlooked. As such, we demand an explanation and clarification of the action in the first place.

“It remains pertinent that the courts of law interpret the law on this matter to ensure that actions such as this do not become commonplace in the country.

“Paradigm Initiative (PIN) in association with other CSOs will continue to follow up and monitor its cases filed against the Federal Government, and some Telecommunication stakeholders  that have been adjourned.

Court Cases and Status:

MRA, PIN, PTC, IPC, TICD & journalists – David Hundeyin, Samuel Ogundipe, Blessing Oladunjoye, and Nwakamri Apollo.vs Federal Republic of Nigeria. Filed at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice | Abuja on June 21, 2021.

The court consolidated this case with 3 other similar suits (SERAP).

The case is fixed for judgement on January 20, 2022.

“PIN vs AGF, NBC, FGN. Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. We sought a declaration that the Twitter ban is a violation of freedom of expression, an order that the ban be lifted and an injunction from arresting, prosecuting or taking any action on those using Twitter. the matter was adjourned to 17th January, 2022

“EiE, PIN & MRA vs MTN, Airtel, Globacom & 9Mobile. Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 3, 2021.

“We sought a declaration that the respondents blockage of Twitter access was unlawful, unconstitutional and against the rights to freedom of expression and an injunction restraining all respondents from blocking or interfering with Twitter and any other social media platform. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit”, the statement reads.

The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim. In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.

You may recall that on June 5, 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of the social media platform through an announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed. 

Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the social network’s team.

The immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others. These issues bordering on National Security, Cohesion and the effects of the abuse of the Twitter platform forced the FGN to suspend the operation of social networking platform to address the direct and collateral issues around its operations in Nigeria.

The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices. These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon. Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizen’s security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake. 

“Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful,” the Chairman stated.

The process of resolving this impasse between the FGN and Twitter Inc. has helped lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. 

Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience. Therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria. 

Furthermore, the FGN looks forward to providing a conducive environment for Twitter and other global tech companies to achieve their potential and be sustainably profitable in Nigeria.

While appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, the FGN is happy to say that the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. Some of the gains include:

• Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria;
• Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses;
• Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria;
• Smooth and coordinated relationship between Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust;
• Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.; and
• Working with Twitter and other global companies to build an acceptable code of conduct following the global best practice.

The FGN has asked the social networking platform to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services. These conditions addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the FGN. 

Consequently, the FGN and Twitter have decided on an execution timeline, which has started this week. Our engagement with Twitter opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy and sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians.

The following are the resolutions agreed with Twitter. Inc.:

1. Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria
2. Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel
3. Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law
4. Twitter has agreed to enroll Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus
5. Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries

Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the social platform operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. “We encourage all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform. As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.”

Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a Nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter. The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potential while avoiding its perils.

In his approval, the President appreciated the Presidential Committee led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, for the supervisory role and guidance given to the Technical Committee during the engagement.

Similarly, the Presidential Committee commends the Technical Committee for a professional, robust and productive engagement with Twitter Inc. It also appreciates Government Regulatory Agencies and Internet Service Providers who implemented the FGN’s directives during the suspension.

The Technical Committee raised by the government to resolve the impasse between the two parties is fine-tuning the offers by the micro blogger before making a final recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President is also awaiting the report of the committee to lift the ban it imposed on Twitter on June 4, last year.

It was learnt that the President has agreed in principle that Twitter’s social networking operation be restored in Nigeria.

There were, however, indications yesterday that the government plans to amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act to include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that Twitter has complied with all the terms given by the government to restore its services.

The conditions agreed to by the firm are:

• Open an office in Nigeria
• Have a country representative
• Register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)/get National
• Broadcasting Commission’s licence
• Payment of fair taxes
• Sensitive to national security and cohesion. It must not undermine the nation’s security
• Train Nigerian IT personnel and strategic intelligence officers on how to report twitter abuse /infractions noticed by the government.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the records, Twitter has finally met six conditions set by the Federal Government for the lifting of the ban on its service in Nigeria as at the close of business in 2021.

“The operation of Twitter will now be fully regulated, including opening of office and deployment of a Country Representative.

We can now hold an officer responsible for any infraction.

“Twitter only requested that the Federal Government should allow it to open the office in 2022 because there was no provision for it in its last year’s budget.

Since we are in a new year, we are expecting that the office will take off soon.

“With payment of taxes, we are hopeful that the government will earn enhanced revenue from Twitter. This ban has helped to correct the lapses of the past. For instance, Twitter has been raking huge cash from Nigeria without legal backing and compliance with our revenue laws.

“Although it was alleged that Nigerians have lost over N6billion to the ban but the Federal Government has lost much more in revenue.

“In spite of recourse to VPN by some users in Nigeria, Twitter revenue slumped considerably because this alternative does not fetch income to it.

“Now, the era of impunity is gone. Twitter must register with CAC and operate in Nigeria as a business concern which it is in other parts of the world.”