“See the difference”: Nigerians react to restoration of TikTok in the US

• Nigerians are reacting to the restoration of TikTok in the US following a ban that made it inaccessible to users for hours
• TikTok attributed the restoration to the efforts of President Donald Trump
• TikTok was unavailable on Apple and Google app stores

Following the restoration of TikTok in the United States of America, Nigerians have reacted to the development.

In their reactions, Nigerians compared the swift restoration of the app in the US with Nigeria’s after the government banned X (formerly Twitter) for seven months.

TikTok resumed operations on Sunday, January 19, hours after it became inaccessible to its 170 million US users.

In a statement on Sunday, TikTok said the app was restored following President Donald Trump’s promise to save the app and allow it to operate in the country.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service.

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties for providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over seven million small businesses to thrive.

“We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States,” the company added.

Upon the restoration, the app notified the app’s users of the development in a message, acknowledging the role of President Trump in getting the app back online in the US.

The message read: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”

Nigerians react to restoration of TikTok in US

Nigerians are commenting on the swift restoration of TikTok in the US while recounting their experience with the seven-month ban of X (formerly Twitter) between June 5, 2021, and January 13, 2022.

In their reactions on X, many compared both countries’ handling of a ban on a social media app, while noting the difference in both governments’ policy directions.

@Nigeria9ine wrote, “As much as I hate Trump he’s lowkey a genius for the way he handled the TikTok situation, allowed it to be snatched from you for a few hours, watched yall LOSE YALL MINDS then gave it back to yall and put his name on the announcement that it’s back in the US so yall champion him.”

@the_Lawrenz said, “Bro. They restored Tiktok less than 24 hours into the ban…. I remember when they banned Twitter in Nigeria .. we cried and cried.”

@AnnabananaOkoi tweeted, “Americans are dramatic Asf…Losing TikTok is said, I sympathise. But dem never see this kind thing before…come to Nigeria we are used to it.”

@jeonghives said, “I just cannot believe that it took TikTok being banned for people to finally understand the government does not have the people’s best interest at heart and could easily create better living conditions if they really wanted to.”

@Universeseeks wrote, “Government that meant good for her people, will do everything for the people. See how US is demanding that 50% share be owned by citizens before TikTok can function in the US.

“But in my country Nigeria, our government will help the foreigners to root (loot) the remaining treasures.”

@AdewunmiGbeng14 tweeted, “When Nigeria banned Twitter for security breach post Endsars, Nigeria activists almost tear the country apart. Now that the USA has banned TikTok, everywhere is calm and quiet. Change the USA to Nigeria on TikTok ban, everywhere go scatter.”

@adeoyem99621959 said, “In less than 12 hours of ban, TikTok is officially back in America. Even those that voted against @realDonaldTrump are all overwhelmed with joy.

“Someone should tell that Bwala guy that America is not Nigeria where the government fear freedom of speech more than lethal weapons.”

Trump proposed 50% US ownership of TikTok

In a move to salvage the ban on TikTok in the US, Trump proposed a 50 per cent ownership of the app by US investors.

Trump said after his swearing-in on Monday, January 20, he would make an executive order to “extend the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.

“I would like the United States to have a 50 per cent ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to say up,” he wrote on Social Truth.

According to Trump, the executive order would specify there would be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before his order.

Earlier, Trump said he would likely grant a 90-day reprieve to TikTok from the ban he takes office.

TikTok was unavailable online in US after ban

TikTok was removed from Apple and Google app stores following the ban of the app in the US.

The app’s removal from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store restricted 170 million TikTok users in the US from downloading of using the app.

The message displayed for users attempting to access TikTok on Apple’s App Store is: “This app is currently not available in your country or region.”

On the Google Play Store, it reads: “We’re sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server.” 

TikTok also informed users of the app’s impending shutdown in a notice on its platform, adding that it is optimistic about a solution to reinstate the app with a Donald Trump presidency.

It said, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. 

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

Other apps owned by ByteDance, including CapCut, a video editing app, and Lemon8, a lifestyle and social app, were also unavailable on app stores for users in the US.

Lemon8’s notice read: “Sorry, Lemon8 isn’t available right now.”

TikTok’s founder, Zhang Yiming, is China’s richest person

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the 41-year-old founder of TikTok and the co-founder of ByteDance, the app’s parent company, Zhang Yiming, has become China’s richest man.

Zhang is now worth $49.3 billion (£38 billion), a 43 per cent increase to his worth in 2023, according to a rich list produced by the Hurun Research Institute.