Twitter Ban Was Hardest Decision, But Necessary — Lai Mohammed

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has defended the Federal Government’s decision to suspend Twitter in Nigeria, describing it as a difficult but necessary step taken in the interest of national security.

He spoke in Abuja during the launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), where he renewed his call for stricter regulation of social media platforms to curb the spread of misinformation.

Mohammed said his position on regulating digital platforms was often misinterpreted, stressing that the aim was not to suppress free speech but to ensure responsible communication in an era dominated by fast-moving information.

“More often than not, I was misunderstood completely. But I still insist today that there must be regulation of social media. Regulation is not censorship,” he said.

The former minister traced the controversial suspension of Twitter to June 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that the decision followed growing concerns about the platform’s role in spreading unverified information and heightening tensions, particularly during and after the #EndSARS protests.

The protests, which erupted in 2020, gained significant traction online, with social media serving as a major tool for mobilisation and information dissemination. Officials at the time argued that the same platforms were also used to circulate misleading narratives capable of destabilising the country.

Mohammed explained that the immediate trigger for the suspension was the deletion of a presidential post by Twitter, after which the government imposed an indefinite ban, citing threats to national unity and security.

The move drew criticism from civil society organisations and members of the international community, who viewed it as a clampdown on freedom of expression. However, Mohammed insisted that the decision was taken after weighing competing interests.

“One of the most important steps I had to take as a minister was to suspend Twitter. I knew many young Nigerians depended on it for their businesses, but where there is a conflict between private interest and national security, national security must take precedence,” he said.

He maintained that fake news has become a potent force capable of distorting reality and fuelling unrest, warning that once misinformation spreads, it is difficult to contain.

“The power of fake news is such that once it starts, it can hardly be overtaken,” he added.

Mohammed also linked the establishment of IMILI to efforts initiated during his tenure to tackle misinformation, recalling that the government began engaging media organisations and stakeholders as far back as 2017 to address the growing threat.

The institute, set up under the framework of UNESCO, is expected to serve as a global hub for research, training and policy dialogue on media and information literacy.

Also speaking, Secretary-General of the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Lateef Olagunju, described IMILI as the product of years of sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

“This journey has been a long one. We have been part of the process from the beginning till now,” he said, adding that the institute would empower citizens to access, analyse and share information responsibly.

Stakeholders at the event said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s goal of building a knowledge-driven society, where citizens are better equipped to navigate the digital space and contribute meaningfully to democratic development.

They expressed optimism that IMILI would help curb misinformation, strengthen public discourse and promote responsible communication across society.