The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the end of the Twitter ban in the country effective from 12am, 13th January 2022, after over 220 days of the social media blackout.
Twitter was locked out from Nigeria on June 4 2021 by the government citing ”the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence,” which led to The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed directing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
Today’s announcement means Twitter has fulfilled or working towards resolving the issues raised by the government’s Technical Committe which included openning an office in Nigeria, having a country representative, registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and getting a National Broadcasting Commission’s licence and paying of taxes locally among others.
Twitter has either opened or is setting up an office in the country and has listed the office expenditures in its 2022 annual budget. Reports indicate the social network has hired a country representative who’s liable for its operations int he country and can be held responsible and be charged in case of any infractions.
It’s definite that Twitter will pay taxes in Nigeria according to the country’s revenue law.
The Federal Government set up a Technical Committee to resolve this issue and will make a final recommendation to Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President.
