Segun Awosanya, Nigerian realtor, human rights activist, and business and strategic consultant, has shared his perspective on the potential consequences of excessive control. Popularly known as Segalink, he believes that an overbearing level of control could stifle innovation and curtail individual freedom.
In a recent interview on CityTalks with Reuben Abati on City 105.1, the renowned human rights activist expressed their views on a variety of pressing issues.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the digital landscape, the Nigerian government made the decision to impose a ban on the popular social media platform, Twitter, effectively rendering it inoperable within the nation's borders. This controversial move came into effect on June 5, 2021, leaving millions of Nigerian users unable to access the platform and sparking a heated debate on the implications of such a decision. In response to Twitter's removal of messages from Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and the subsequent temporary suspension, the Nigerian government has implemented a prohibition on the social media platform. President Buhari's messages, which cautioned Nigerians in the southeastern part of the country, particularly the Igbos, about the possibility of a recurrence of the 1967 Biafran Civil War in light of the ongoing insurgency, were deemed inappropriate by Twitter. As a result, the Nigerian government has taken the step of restricting access to Twitter within the nation.
The decision to ban the social media platform in Nigeria was primarily driven by a multitude of issues plaguing the country, including the president's tweets being taken down. The platform has been a breeding ground for misinformation and fake news, which have resulted in tangible acts of violence. The Nigerian government justified its action by highlighting the platform's persistent use for activities that pose a threat to the nation's unity and stability.
The ban imposed by Nigerian authorities has faced widespread criticism from various international entities. Amnesty International, the British, Canadian, and Swedish diplomatic missions in Nigeria, along with the United States and the European Union, have jointly expressed their disapproval of the ban. The Nigerian Bar Association and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have expressed their intention to legally challenge the ban. In a recent development, Twitter users have taken to the platform to express their deep concern over a suspension that has been described as "very disturbing."
In a recent study, it has been revealed that Nigeria has joined the ranks of countries imposing restrictions on social media access, making it the 66th nation to do so within the span of the last six years.
The Nigerian government has revealed its decision to lift the ban on the popular microblogging site, Twitter. According to official sources, this action is set to take effect precisely at 12 a.m. on Thursday.
After a long wait, Nigerians can now rejoice as visits to the platform have been restored, marking an end to a seven-month period of restricted access. Users can now freely access the site without the need for a virtual private network (VPN).
In a statement, Mr. Awosanya expressed his concerns regarding the government's actions to suppress a widely utilised platform for public expression, government scrutiny, and business activities. According to Mr. Awosanya, these measures taken by the government are ultimately detrimental and do not yield any positive outcomes.
He highlighted the staggering financial implications of a potential Twitter shutdown. According to his analysis, the estimated cost of suspending the platform for a duration of 7 months or precisely 222 days would amount to a staggering $26.1 billion. In local currency, this astronomical figure translates to approximately 10.72 trillion naira at present.
When examining the amount that Nigeria owes to other nations, a stark contrast emerges.
In response to the issue at hand, the government has provided a statement emphasising their primary focus on justifying their actions by highlighting their perceived lack of control.
He emphasised that implementing stricter measures had proven ineffective in bringing about any meaningful change.
In a thought-provoking statement, the question arises as to why the government's efforts are directed towards censorship and control, rather than fostering an enabling regulatory environment that bolsters global technology initiatives.