Nigeria lifts ban on Twitter after 7 months

Abuja: The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Twitter, imposed in June last year, saying the micro-blogging platform has agreed to set "a legal entity" in the West African nation during the first quarter of this year.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari directed that Twitter's operations will resume in the country on Thursday, according to the director-general of the country's National Information Technology Development Agency. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said that was only after Twitter agreed to meet some conditions, including opening an office in Nigeria.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12 a.m. tonight, 13th January 2022," read the statement from Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general of Nigeria's tech agency, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

"Our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardizing the justified interests of the company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful", Abdullahi said in the statement.

A spokesperson for Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to registering in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022, Abdullahi said Twitter has also agreed to other conditions including appointing a designated country representative, complying with tax obligations and acting with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built.

Nigeria suspended Twitter's operation on June 4, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. The country also accused the micro-blogging platform of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the country. The action triggered criticisms as it came shortly after the social media network deleted a post by Buhari in which he threatened to treat separatists in the language they will understand.

Last year, the government expressed doubts about Twitter's operations in the country, after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari who made a reference to the country's 30-month civil war in 1967-1970, warning "those who wanted the government to fail" to desist from fomenting trouble.

Twitter had deleted the President's post, following criticisms from some netizens.