The Nigerian Twitter Ban

As a Nigerian citizen, I am deeply concerned about the Twitter ban. I am also concerned about the impact of the ban on the economy and democracy in Nigeria.

The ban is widely seen as an attempt to silence dissent and stifle freedom of expression. Many people like me, thought it was a thing that would be short-lived, bearing in mind the volume of businesses that depend on it to reach their customers daily. But after three months, I am compelled to admit that there is more than what meets the eye of this crisis.

It’s important to Note that the main underlying problems that led to the Twitter ban include ineffective leadership. There is a growing generation of Nigerians that have developed dissatisfaction with ineffective leadership at all levels of government.

This group found Twitter, the popular micro-blogging site, a comfortable place to vent their grievances. These “keyboard warriors” can literally set the nation on fire without a cause, if the way they have gone about some national issues is anything to go by. I guess there is no government anywhere in the world that will fold its hand and watch things get out of hand. Throwing the bath water and the baby away.

The government’s ban is tantamount to throwing the bath water and the baby away. There is no doubt about the immense benefit of Twitter globally, but there is also a need for the government to ensure that “Fake News” is not allowed to run the country aground.

This delicate balance is the responsibility of government leaders. The question is, are there other ways of managing such a crisis, without wielding the heavy hammer?

Government micro-management of free speech. The Twitter ban was just another example of the government’s attempt to micro-manage the media. This act does not put Nigeria in a good light as the champion of democracy and good governance in West Africa and indeed the world. A good image is paramount if we must keep attracting the much-needed foreign direct investment from all and sundry.

The Nigerian government must learn from its mistakes and take steps to address the underlying problems that led to the Twitter ban. The government must become more effective, transparent, and accountable. It must also learn to manage conflict peacefully and respect the rule of law.

Advice for the government

Here are some ways that the Nigerian government can tackle similar problems in the future: Engage in dialogue with stakeholders before making decisions. This will help to ensure that all voices are heard and that decisions are made in a transparent and accountable way.

Use evidence-based decision-making. The government should collect data and analyse it carefully before making decisions. This will help to ensure that decisions are based on sound evidence, not on emotion or personal bias.

Respect the rule of law. The government must uphold the country’s constitution and other laws. This includes respecting the fundamental rights of Nigerians, such as freedom of expression, investment in education and capacity building. The government should invest in educating its civil servants and developing their leadership skills. This will help to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of the government.

By taking these steps, the Nigerian government can avoid making the same mistakes that led to the Twitter ban.

I urge the Nigerian government to learn from its mistakes and to take steps to address the underlying problems that led to the ban. The government must become more effective, transparent, and accountable. It must also learn to manage conflict peacefully and respect the rule of law. I believe that if the government takes these steps, it will be able to tackle similar problems in the future and create a better future for all Nigerians.

By Dipo Adeda-Osinloye, an accomplished business and leadership expert,
Writing from Lagos