By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA—The Federal Government says it is set to formulate policies and guidelines that would guarantee free  and secure use of the social media space, saying that the platform has become too critical to be ignored or undermined by any serious government.

Shittu adebayo

The Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu disclosed this while delivering his keynote address at  the two day retreat for social media handlers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in Abuja.

He said that the federal government is set to propound policy guidelines that would  ensure the safety of users of cyber space.

He said government will not limit Nigerians’ access to social media solely on the basis that it may be used to express views critical of the government or the social-political system but for protecting critical expression on the internet by which governments are now held to be genuinely democratic.

He said: ‘‘Government will proactively propound free and secure policies that ensure use of technology based platforms of interaction in social media.

‘‘Nigerians should feel free to discuss government policies and engage in responsible political debates; report corruption and exercise their right to expression of opinion and dissent. Government will   defend and keep to its commitment to human rights, transparency, rule of law and accountability.’’