How to use Twitter in Nigeria despite FG’s suspension

Nigerians, who rank among the most vocal and frequent users of popular micro-blogging site, Twitter, now have to contend with no longer having access to the medium.

The development comes in the wake of the indefinite suspension of the operations of the social network in Nigeria.

Infostride News earlier reported that the suspension was made public by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Mohammed announced the suspension in a statement in Abuja on Friday, June 4.

Specifically, the minister cited the persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. The statement was released by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media), office of the Minister.

The statement reads, “The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.

“The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday; citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“The Minister said the FG has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.”

Equally important, Infostride News can report that the ban has taken effect. Telecommunications companies in Nigeria, whom Nigerians rely on for data to access Twitter services, have already pulled the plug on the medium. Browsers and apps are no longer connecting to Twitter, with Nigerians reporting the cessation of service from around midnight.

Consequently, a groundswell of reactions have trailed the development.

Nigerians from all walks of life have condemned the government’s action. Amnesty International has also weighed in, urging a rescinding of the decision; while the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has also threatened to sue the FG.

Meanwhile, despite the ban by the FG, Nigerians can still use the medium through a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a connection that allows users to establish a protected network connection when using public networks. VPNs basically aid users protect their internet traffic and keep their identities private online.

With a VPN, internet traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see into. This includes including hackers, governments, and even the telecommunications/internet service provider. In other words, a VPN hides your internet protocol (IP) address. The IP is the unique number that identifies an internet user and his/her physical location.

Below are a few tips on how to get and install a VPN
VPNs abound in their number. It is important to note that while some of them are free, others are paid. The difference exists in their utility levels or functionalities.

However, this is not to state that free VPNs do not deliver value. Infostride News reports that some free VPNs, such as Windscribe, even offer as much as 10GB of free data to users. Other free VPNS include Hide.me, ProtonVPN, Speedify and TunnelBear, among others.

It is advisable to use only a reliable app download portal when getting a VPN.

Visit the Google PlayStore or Apple Appstore on your device
Search for VPN
You will see a number of options and having ascertained if you are going for a free or paid one, you can make a choice from the available options
Open the selected VPN app and download/install on your device
Select your new location by choosing any country of your choice (not Nigeria, in view of the ban)
Connect your VPN
Voila! You can now use Twitter
Please note that the use of a VPN may prevent you from accessing other location-based apps on your device. To use these apps, you may need to disconnect your VPN.