ABUJA, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigerian government has said Twitter has written to seek dialogue on possible ways of solving the controversy created by its recent ban in Nigeria.
In a press briefing, Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed acknowledged the receipt of the letter by the Nigerian government, saying the country’s officials were open to a dialogue.
Mohammed, however, said among other conditions for Twitter to resume operation in Nigeria, there must be an agreement on what contents it could broadcast.
“I can confirm that Twitter has written to the Federal Government that they are ready to talk. As we have always maintained, the door is not locked, and we are open-minded, but Twitter must work toward it,” the Minister said.
“They must be guided by the rules of the licensing, as well as pay taxes,” the official said.
The regulation of social media platforms is becoming a global practice, he noted. “Most countries are just waking up to the fact that the platforms are becoming more powerful than even government and must be regulated,” he added.
The Nigerian government suspended Twitter on June 4, alleging that “it provided an avenue for unpatriotic elements that were bent on destroying the corporate existence of Nigeria.” — NNN-AGENCIES
