The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is monitoring the activities on the social app following its takeover by billionaire, Elon Musk.
He stated in his opening address at the 3rd edition of the ‘PMB Administration Scorecard 2015-2023’ series that was launched to showcase the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Speaking on the change, he said questions will be asked of the agreement between Twitter and the Federal Government, and urgent action is needed to be taken.
He was quoted as saying “Many have asked for our reaction following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership”
“Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing. Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter.
“It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all.
“What happened in the case of Twitter is well known to all. Twitter became a platform of choice for those who want to destabilize Nigeria using fake news, disinformation and hate speech.
“No nation will allow any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy. Definitely not Nigeria. But we have continued to engage positively with the different social media platforms, including Facebook, Google (owners of YouTube) and Twitter.
“We have no intention of banning any social media platform again. But we will also not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis.”
Previously, the Federal Government banned Nigerians from using Twitter from the 5th of June 2021 to 13th of January 2022.