BREAKING: Twitter ban will be lifted if it’s used positively, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says the suspension of Twitter, a microblogging platform, will be lifted if citizens are allowed to use the service positively.

Buhari disclosed this on Friday during an address to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day anniversary.

The president said his administration is committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of Nigerian citizens.

“Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue,” he said.

“The committee, along with its technical team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical presence and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content.

“Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens to continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.

“As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.”