The Nigerian social media space has been abuzz following the announcement of the Federal Government’s decision to suspend operations of Twitter in the country.
The decision comes after Twitter deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari, in which PMB alluded to his experience during the bloody Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 and threatened to punish those instigating chaos in the country.
Justifying FG’s action against Twitter, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said it is due to “the persistent use of the platform for activities… capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”
This development is the newest action out of numerous approaches employed by the Buhari-led government to control online expression that are critical of its policies and decisions. Recall the ruling government had placed series of suspension on several media outlets, fined lots of Television stations as well as adopted measures like website blocking and arresting content posters who are perceived enemies of the government or proliferators of political views that affect its interests.
Reviewing the decision of the Nigerian government to suspend Twitter operation in the country, TheNewsGuru (TNG) highlights five key ways Nigeria and Nigerians may suffer:
1. Loss of jobs:
Nigeria is facing its worst official unemployment crisis, and things may worsen for the country with the suspension of a social network as big as Twitter, which not only provides job opportunities for youths in the digital marketing/social media influencer industry but also serves as a backbone to several fledgling startups who rely on same to connect with the world.
The ripple effects of FG’s decision to ban Twitter operation in Nigeria may imply that several social media managers managing accounts of corporate entities and public organisations may be relieved of their jobs. On the other hand, operations of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in large numbers may break down since they mostly depend on social networks like Twitter to engage with their customers – this also means huge loss of jobs and it is bad news for the country and such pressure will frustrate the ruling government.
The importance of Twitter and other social media platforms in serving as a LEGITIMATE source of business and income in light of the current COVID-19 global pandemic cannot be overemphasised. Imagine the livelihoods that are directly affected by such an ill-thought-out decision.
Advertisement— Fola Aina (@folanski) June 4, 2021
2.Further scare foreign investors:
The federal government’s decision to crackdown on social media networks will no doubt send negative signals to foreign investors, another obstacle that may continue to dissuade them from investing in Nigeria.
Twitter in its quest to situate a base in Africa recently ignored Nigeria for Ghana seemingly because of the former’s inconducive business environment coupled with the erratic decisions by its government.
3.Damage Nigeria’s reputation in the global community:
Over the year, the Buhari-led government has been criticised several times for trying to curb internet freedom in different ways.
With the suspension handed Twitter, the Nigerian government has further cast a shadow of doubt’s on itself as regards the protection right to freedom of information in the country.
As such, FG’s attack on Twitter are as damaging to the country’s reputation as they are for the company.
The buzz about the ban comes barely six months after United States placed Nigeria for the first time on a religious freedom blacklist- Now, Nigeria by its actions joins the list of countries such as China, Uganda, Iran, North Korea that have restricted the use of the platform.
This action is clearly inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s international obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. #TwitterBan #Nigeria
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) June 4, 2021
Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information. This must be respected. Safeguarding free, independent media and civic spaces for democratic voices is an important part of Sweden’s #DriveForDemocracy #TwitterBan
— Sweden in Nigeria (@SwedeninNigeria) June 4, 2021
4.May Spark International Dispute:
The strained relations between tech giant, Twitter and the Nigerian government may indirectly affect Nigeria’s relationship with America, other western countries if not well managed.
Twitter is an American big tech and an attack on the social network may backfire on the Nigerian government. With the suspension of Twitter operation, Nigeria will be moving towards a police state, which is a valid comparison with China and such stance are far from the democratic values of America.
5. Widen gap between the governed and the government
The decision of the federal government to issue suspension to Twitter will totally break down the already weakened link between Nigerians and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
There are many key benefits that a social media network like Twitter brings to the governed and the government —including social’s role in awareness building and during times of crisis. On social Media, people can engage in direct dialogue with politicians, civic officials, and even entire government agencies but this may discontinue in Nigeria as government go harsh on social media networks.