Why was Twitter Banned in Nigeria?

Nigeria has recently announced that the social media platform Twitter is to be blocked in the country. The social media giant has been banned by the Nigerian government led by Muhammadu Buhari, who has also ordered to prosecute and arrest the people who will continue to use Twitter in the country in any form.

If you are wondering why the government blocked the popular social media platform, then here we will bring you all the information related to the banning of Twitter!

Nigeria Twitter Ban – Latest News
Tweet by the President of Nigeria
Nigerians Sidestepping the Twitter ban
Twitter’s Response on Ban by Nigeria
FAQ

Nigeria Twitter Ban – Latest News

Nigeria had blocked access to Twitter across the country after it had removed a tweet dated June 1, 2021, from its President, Muhammadu Buhari's account. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture of Nigeria had conveyed through a series of tweets on 4 June 2021 that the government has suspended the social media app Twitter indefinitely.

The reason given by the Federal Ministry behind the ban was the continuous use of the social media platform for the activities that aim to threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Tweet by the President of Nigeria

On 2 June 2021, the social media platform Twitter had removed a tweet from Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria's account, saying that the tweet had violated its policy related to abusive behavior.

In his tweet, Buhari announced that “those misbehaving today” will be treated in “the language they understand.” The President's post was directed at the secessionist movement in the country and was read as a threat to the secessionists that further went on to portray "the destruction and loss of lives" during the Nigerian civil war.

The tweet was interpreted by Twitter as a threat note, comprising of the bloody connotations of the past violence perpetrated around the country during the civil war of the 1960s, which is attributed to a million deaths and countless other injuries, where Buhari served as the military ruler of Nigeria.

Here goes the full original tweet that the President posted:

“Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand.”

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Nigerians Sidestepping the Twitter ban

Many Nigerians have not been cooperating with the ban by using a virtual private network to access Twitter. The social media platform, Twitter is considered to be one of the main platforms that are available for the Nigerians to criticize their government. The government has released the order, which conveyed that the people using the social media app would be arrested and prosecuted.

Twitter’s Response on Ban by Nigeria

Twitter had responded to the ban saying that they were deeply concerned about the Nigerian government blocking the social media platform. They further added that the open internet and access to it is considered to be an essential human right in modern society.

Twitter, through its public policy account, has conveyed that it would work towards restoring the social media platform for the users in Nigeria in order to communicate and connect with the entire world.

Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms are trying to figure out an effective way to deal with the controversial tweets used by the politicians. Earlier Twitter had removed the former US President Donald Trump’s tweets and have banned him permanently from Twitter.

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Conclusion

With the rising popularity of Twitter that has already become a sensational social media platform, which deals with the tweets from celebrities from all walks of life, who prefer Twitter and expresses themselves as freely as possible, negative, abusive tweets and threat notes are pouring in and becoming increasingly difficult to handle. Therefore, Twitter and similar platforms are looking to find an effective way out.

In the meanwhile, Florida has issued a new law that will fine the social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other tech companies if they permanently ban or kick off politicians from their platforms.

FAQ

Is Twitter banned in Nigeria?

Yes, Twitter was banned in Nigeria on 5th June after the tweet of its president was removed by the social media giant.

Why did Nigeria suspend twitter?

Nigerian Government suspended twitter after the microblogging site removed tweet by the President of Nigeria.

Does Twitter have an office in Nigeria?

Twitter does not has an office in Nigeria but has announced of opening their first office in Ghana.