Marketing experts urge FG to rescind social media ban
Coming on the heels of the ban of Twitter by the Federal Government and the recent ECOWAS Court’s decision to consolidate suits over Nigeria’s Twitter Ban on July 9, experts in the field of advertising and marketing have called on the government to rescind the ban as it will negatively impact the economy.
The experts, who stated that social media is the new marketplace for businesses, noted that Nigeria’s retail e-Commerce market harbours a high growth potential, and that various social media platforms are huge facilitators of brand engagement and visibility.
Founder, Chief Responsibility Officer at Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi said: “The good thing about social media is that it is where the new economy is and if the global economy is playing in this space, why would you put a ban on a space that is the new way of marketing? It is borderless. For those that are into making goods, it allows you to export. Businesses have literally become borderless because of social media, e-commerce and digital marketing.”
According to her, it is vital that the government utilises the tool of social media to grow the economy. “If you want the Nigerian economy to grow in the 21st century, you cannot ban social media; you cannot ban the digital space.”
On his part, Creative Director, Vwede Nova Company, Anthonia Ziregbe, said the ban on any social media platform is not just a gag on the freedom of speech or expression, but it stifles the growth of businesses that operate on these platforms.
She said: “The social media platform has become a marketplace for entrepreneurs especially small and medium scale enterprise owners. Digital marketing for big organisations now takes place on social media because that’s where the audience is. Putting a ban on social media will affect digital marketing campaigns and online advertising”.
She added: “63 percent of shopping occasions begin online. In 2018, an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide purchased goods online. In the same year, global e-retail sales amounted to $2.8 trillion and projections show that global e-retail sales are going to grow to up to $4.8 trillion by 2021. The government should be thinking of how to explore this opportunity instead of banning such a huge potential for national economic growth”.
On his part, Social Media Specialist, Endurance Akakpo said the decision to ban, regulate or control the social media space can cost the economy so much in terms of investment into the technology sector, as many foreign investors will view Nigeria as a government-controlled economy which is not what businesses want. “Without social media to run advertising campaigns or to build relationships with customers, many business brands will be adversely affected.”
It will be recalled that the Federal Government, on 4 June, placed a ban on Twitter, in response to what it described as the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
On 9 July, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), merged all the four cases brought before it by different applicants against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. The ECOWAS also adjourned to September 29, 2021, for a hearing to enable all parties to organise themselves for trial.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.