BREAKING: "We Are Almost There" - FG Gives Hint On Lifting Twitter Ban

 

The Nigerian government has hinted that the country's Twitter ban may be lifted soon, as an agreement is almost reached with Twitter management.

According to the country's Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, The ban will be lifted very soon, as the government and Twitter have had a positive engagement on the matter.

He disclosed this while briefing State House media at the end of a virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the First Lady's Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

When asked by the media to give an update on the Twitter ban in Nigeria and the interface with the company, the Minister said;

“The end for amicable resolution is very much in sight.

“We appreciate the patience of Nigerians. I want to assure you that we have made very tremendous progress. We have met with Twitter both physically and in writing. We are actually almost there.

“The engagement has been extremely positive without any acrimony. We have made it clear what we want from Twitter."

Some of the conditions imposed by the Federal Government for Twitter operations to resume in Nigeria, according to Alhaji Mohammed, include Twitter establishing a legal presence in the country and registering as a Nigerian firm with an address.

It should also have a Country Representative who will act as a liaison, and it should register with relevant regulatory bodies, such as the NCC.

The government also wants Twitter to sign an agreement with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, or FIRS. The government is also considering establishing a Twitter-Nigeria Ombudsman

“They (Twitter) have shown a lot of flexibility, the conversation has not been acrimonious,” Lai Mohammed said.

He, however, said that there were roughly three to four areas where the two parties had still to achieve an agreement, including the opening of a Nigerian office with workers, adding that Twitter has accepted to open a Nigerian office in 2022.