Tolu Ogunlesi – the Special Assistant on Digital/New Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) said that the Federal Government and Twitter are very close to a resolution.

WuzupNigeria reported that Buhari, during his Independence Day address on October 1st, announced the conditional lifting of the ban on the social media giant which was placed on July 4, 2021.

Buhari revealed that he constituted a Presidential Committee along with its Technical Team to engaged with Twitter to address a number of key issues including “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 continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.’’

However, as Nigerians await the official lifting of the ban, Ogunlesi who is among the team negotiating the terms of Twitter’s return said the the ban is a win-win for both the government and the giant tech company owned by Jack Dorsey.

Speaking in a live interview with CNN, three months and some days after the ban which has reportedly cost Nigeria approximately N272bn, according to NetBlocks, Ogunlesi gave his view on the ban.

“I think it is a win-win for Twitter and the government of Nigeria. That is the view I get from the negotiations.

“We are very close to a resolution. It has been a peaceful and positive conversation. Both sides have benefitted from listening to each other and sharing their views,” he said.