On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Nigeria lifted its ban on Twitter about 222 days after it was slammed on the micro blogging site on June 5, 2021. However, the ban heavily impacted on small businesses that the country incurred economic losses estimated at N546.5 billion by the time it was lifted. In this issue, our correspondents, Chuks NZEH and Ijeoma UKAZU, spoke with some Nigerians who were elated that their businesses were back on their feet. Excerpts:
CHIDERA NWACHUKWU: I thank the Nigerian government for taking steps to correct what I describe as their previous error. I have not heard of any country banning Twitter for so long because it was used to express an opinion, something that can either be accepted or discarded. Well, the federal government reacted the way it did. Thank God that it has retraced its steps and lifted the ban. Nigeria cannot afford to isolate itself from the global space where information can be managed to generate profit.
For not being adamant to the calls by Nigerians to bring back Twitter, I think we should appreciate the government. For me, it is a thing of joy. We can now re-join the tweeting community to express ourselves and learn more from the global community. Whether you like it or not we are a member of the global community and should be allowed to contribute our quota to the global space. We congratulate the Nigeria digital community who would have influence this reversal for success so far on the international community
ONYEKACHI MICHELLE: That decision by the federal government was long overdue. It’s a welcome development. We cannot but re-join the global community on Twitter. The social media has proven to breach the gap between distances and has brought people closer that would never have thought of doing so in a short time. We can only appreciate the federal government for reconsidering the Twitter ban because we cannot be left behind in the digital world. So, the earlier we come on, the better for us.
Twitter has helped so many individuals, groups and organisations to promote their businesses and increase their profit, and have connected them for better productivity and sustainable development.
CHRISTIANA OSONDU:
 It’s a good decision the federal government has made. Personally, I am elated because I do all my business on twitter and ever since, my business has been suffering. I have lost so much money and deals from the ban. It is time to get my business back on track.
This move by government will give millions of people in Nigeria access to the social media platform once again to carry out their activities. The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over our society, social interaction and economic choices. The social connection that Twitter brings is awesome.
UDOCHUKWU MICHAEL: Twitter is like home to me. I used the app to connect with my university friends. The ban really brought a disconnect but thankfully, after six long months, the ban has been lifted.
Through the Twitter app, I promote my musical skit. Now that it is back, I am back on track to continue from where I left off. Twitter has really promoted my music and has given me some little gigs. The ban by federal government affected me and my music but in all, I am grateful that it is back.
Also, lifting of Twitter ban has put me back on track in terms of global happenings, news and current affairs across countries of the world. I really missed that. Twitter’s coming back is a welcome development.
KINGSLEY NNAJI: Twitter was banned by the Nigerian government in 2021 after the company deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari, which threatened secessionists in the country’s southeast region. Some had interpreted the tweet as threatening genocide for its reference to the Nigerian civil war of the 1960s.
My take on the decision to lift the ban is that it is a welcome development. As an advocate, I can say that my job continues because twitter is the platform I use to deliver my advocacy messages. With Twitter, I have been able, over the years, to reach out to thousands of people through messages that have changed lives forever. Twitter is one of the platforms that reaches diverse audiences and send the message promptly. I am glad the blue bird app is back and business has regained its footing.
