Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari for the abrupt ban on Twitter in 2021, labeling him an “idiot” and a “dictator.” Soyinka expressed his discontent during an interview with Arise News Television at the CANEX Live Theatre closing ceremony of the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2023 in Cairo, Egypt.
While acknowledging the prevalence of inappropriate content on the internet and social media, Soyinka emphasized the need for a constructive, organized, and structured approach to regulating these platforms. He highlighted the internet’s significance to human enterprise and cautioned against hasty decisions, contrasting Buhari’s outright ban on Twitter.
Soyinka advocated for a more critical approach akin to the print medium, suggesting that the publishing enterprise play a pivotal role in fostering responsible communication. He proposed organizing seminars across the African continent to address the issue and stressed the importance of revising the educational system to incorporate internet language and culture.
In urging caution with regulation, Soyinka emphasized the need for thoughtful consideration, questioning who would regulate and advocating for a methodical and structured approach. He criticized Buhari’s unilateral decision to ban Twitter and called for a more constructive and nuanced approach to addressing issues on social media.
