Lagos, June 9 (Xinhua) –The Nigerian government said Wednesday that Twitter had taken a dialogue approach to resolve issues that could lead to a shutdown in West African countries.

Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed told reporters at a press conference in Abuja that he received a message from the microblogging platform Wednesday morning asking for dialogue with the Nigerian government.

“They (Twitter) are now ready to hold advanced-level discussions with us,” Mohammed said.

But he pointed out that “Nigeria’s sovereignty” is more important to the Nigerian government.

The Nigerian government has insisted on official registration of Twitter and other social media platforms due to recent developments, he said.

“The important thing is that Twitter needs to be licensed in Nigeria, and Twitter has to stop using the platform for activities that go against Nigeria’s growth and corporate survival.”

Apart from suspending Twitter’s activities, Nigeria’s broadcast regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission, has ordered all local broadcasters to suspend their use of Twitter.