₦airaland Forum

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, is one of the most widely used communication apps globally. However, several countries have either fully blocked, partially restricted, or temporarily banned the service due to political, security, and regulatory reasons.

On Wednesday, Russia became the latest country to restrict certain WhatsApp calls, accusing the platform of refusing to share information in fraud and terrorism investigations.

Countries with a Full WhatsApp Ban

1. China
Blocked since 2017 under the country’s Great Firewall policy.
Filters and blocks overseas server traffic.
Users rely on WeChat for communication.

2. North Korea
WhatsApp is generally inaccessible.
The government has blocked Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other platforms since 2016.
The country maintains one of the world’s most tightly controlled internet systems.
Countries with Partial WhatsApp Restrictions

1. Russia (from August 2025)
Restricts some WhatsApp calls.
Cites national security concerns and clashes with foreign tech companies over data storage and content control.

2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Banned most VoIP services in 2017, including WhatsApp voice and video calls.
Text messaging remains allowed.
Temporarily allowed calls during Expo Dubai 2020.

3. Qatar
No official ban, but VoIP calls are restricted.
WhatsApp messaging still works.

4. Egypt
No blanket ban, but authorities have throttled VoIP communications.

5. Jordan
Restrictions on making VoIP calls via WhatsApp.

Countries with Intermittent or Past WhatsApp Bans

1. Iran
Lifted the WhatsApp ban in 2024 as part of easing internet restrictions.

2. Turkey
No current ban, but past temporary blocks occurred during domestic unrest.

3. Uganda
Banned WhatsApp and other social media in 2021 after Facebook blocked pro-government accounts.
The Ban was later lifted.

4. Cuba
Temporarily restricted WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social media in 2021 during political protests.

5.United States (U.S. House of Representatives)
In June 2025, WhatsApp was banned on all House of Representatives devices for security reasons.
Why Countries Ban or Restrict WhatsApp

Governments impose WhatsApp restrictions for a range of reasons:

National security and anti-terrorism measures
Control over information flow during protests or political unrest
Regulation of VoIP services to protect telecom revenues
Disputes over data privacy and refusal to comply with government demands

In a bold step to strengthen internal security, the Oyo State Executive Council has approved the sum of N7.7 billion for the acquisition of two light surveillance aircraft to bolster efforts against kidnapping, banditry, and other rising security threats across the state.

The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, following the council’s weekly meeting held on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Aircraft to Support Intelligence and Rapid Response

According to the commissioner, the aircraft to be purchased are Diamond DA 42 MNG models, a type of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft widely regarded for its advanced surveillance capabilities. These planes are equipped with modern gadgets that can identify, monitor, and track targets from both high and low altitudes.

“The preference for these aircraft instead of helicopters is because they are less expensive to maintain. Its spare parts are accessible, and also, the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy,” Oyelade stated.

The decision, according to the council, is part of a renewed determination by the state government to secure Oyo from the encroachment of bandits and the criminal enterprise of kidnapping gangs, which have become a significant threat to lives and livelihoods, especially in rural and border regions.

Insecurity Remains a Growing Concern

While Oyo is relatively more peaceful than several northern states grappling with insurgency and banditry, pockets of insecurity persist in many communities, particularly in remote areas. The government acknowledged this challenge during the executive meeting.

Oyelade noted that despite a semblance of peace, isolated incidents of kidnappings and violent crimes continue to occur, particularly in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, and parts of the state bordering Osun, Ogun, and Kwara.

These areas have been the epicenter of highway kidnappings, herder-farmer clashes, and bandit-style raids in recent years. The Ibarapa zone, especially the town of Igangan, has repeatedly drawn national attention following gruesome killings, abductions, and persistent communal unrest.

Challenges with Ground Security and the Role of Amotekun

In response to the rising insecurity, the Oyo government has taken steps to fortify the Western Nigeria Security Network, better known as Amotekun Corps. The regional security outfit has made some progress in community policing, but is still grappling with several operational constraints.

These challenges include:

Inadequate firearms and ammunition

Limited personnel

Insufficient mobility and communication tools

Difficulty operating in vast, forested terrains

The terrain of Oyo State, particularly in rural belts with thick forests and porous borders, offers safe havens for criminals and makes ground-level surveillance difficult. This reality, government sources say, is what prompted the decision to enhance aerial intelligence capacity through ISR aircraft.

“We can no longer rely on ground patrols alone. Aerial surveillance will allow us to gather better intelligence, monitor movements in difficult terrains, and deploy response teams more efficiently,” a senior security official in the state disclosed.

A Strategic Investment in Security Infrastructure

The N7.7 billion allocation marks one of the largest state-level investments in aerial security in the South-West in recent years. The procurement of ISR aircraft is expected to:

Enhance intelligence gathering in hard-to-reach rural areas

Improve coordination between state and federal security agencies

Enable faster deployment of security personnel during emergencies

Discourage criminal elements from using Oyo as a base

Security experts have welcomed the decision, describing it as a forward-thinking measure, especially in a region where criminal networks are adapting to evade ground-based enforcement.

Residents Still Living in Fear

Despite government efforts, many residents in affected areas continue to live in fear of attacks. Farmers in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun report abandoning farmlands due to kidnapping threats. Transporters have also expressed concerns about risky highways, where several drivers and passengers have fallen victim to ambushes.

In Igangan, community leaders lament that although security patrols have increased, bandits still carry out night raids, forcing some families to relocate.

“We can’t go to our farms. The forests are no longer safe. Even at home, we sleep with fear,” said Adeola Alabi, a farmer in Ibarapa.

What Comes Next?

The Oyo State Government says the aircraft acquisition process will begin immediately, and the planes are expected to be delivered and deployed within a few months. The government is also planning to train a team of surveillance officers and coordinate operations with the Nigerian Air Force and other federal agencies for real-time intelligence sharing.

Oyelade urged residents to support the state’s security strategies and report suspicious movements, while assuring that the Makinde-led administration remains committed to protecting lives, property, and investments across the state.

As insecurity continues to evolve across Nigeria, Oyo’s aerial surveillance move may soon serve as a template for other states looking to innovate local security architecture amid national-level limitations.

In a move aimed at strengthening international cooperation and boosting economic development, the Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to partner with Guangdong Province of China to accelerate growth in the areas of technology, tourism, culture, and the blue economy.

This significant announcement came on Friday during a courtesy visit by Mr. He Rusheng, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, to the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at her office in Ikeja.

Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the meeting, Salu-Hundeyin emphasized Lagos State’s openness to international partnerships that yield measurable benefits and drive sustainable development. She noted that the proposed collaboration with Guangdong would play a vital role in enhancing the livability and economic standing of the state.

Technology and Blue Economy as Pillars of Development

At the heart of this emerging partnership is a shared commitment to developing the blue economy and advancing technological innovation. The blue economy—centered around sustainable use of ocean and marine resources—presents enormous potential for Lagos, a coastal megacity with thriving port and maritime activity.

Speaking on the collaboration, Salu-Hundeyin highlighted how these sectors align with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s economic agenda for inclusive prosperity and sustainable development.

“We will explore opportunities in culture, tourism, technology, and the blue economy to drive economic growth and improve the living standards of our people,” she said.

She reiterated that Lagos State views international collaboration as a strategic tool for development and remains committed to mutually beneficial partnerships that result in measurable outcomes for citizens.

MoU in the Works to Attract Foreign Direct Investment

One of the major takeaways from the meeting is the impending signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Lagos State and Guangdong Province. This MoU is expected to open the doors to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) into the state.

According to Salu-Hundeyin, the Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to implementing initiatives that promote economic welfare and elevate the standard of living for all Lagosians.

“This is not our first engagement with China, and it won’t be the last. Lagos is a state without borders when it comes to international collaboration. We are willing to collaborate as long as there are clear mutual benefits,” she stated.

Guangdong Seeks Deeper Economic Ties

On his part, Mr. He Rusheng, who also serves as the Vice President of the Guangdong People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, emphasized Guangdong’s readiness to revive and expand its relationship with Lagos State.

He recalled his previous visit to Lagos in 2019, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed optimism about reigniting the strategic partnership. Rusheng acknowledged Lagos’ regional significance, noting its role as the gateway to West African markets and its shared economic aspirations with Guangdong.

“Lagos and Guangdong have many similarities in terms of industrial growth, innovation, and global relevance. We are confident that by working together, we can drive mutual development,” Rusheng said.

He also appealed to the Lagos State Government to continue providing a supportive environment for Chinese companies operating in the state, especially those seeking to expand in sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology.

Furthermore, he encouraged both parties to accelerate the implementation of key joint projects, stating that doing so would unlock greater economic and social gains for both regions.

Nigeria-China Relations on a Broader Scale

This new partnership between Lagos and Guangdong comes amid a broader push by Nigeria and China to deepen bilateral ties. Just days before the meeting, both countries reaffirmed their strategic alliance during the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business, Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit held in Lagos.

The high-level forum focused on aligning legislative priorities with trade and investment cooperation. Key agenda items included trade policy reforms, infrastructure development, and correcting trade imbalances that continue to limit Nigeria’s industrialization goals.

During the summit, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, praised the role of Chinese companies in Nigeria’s development, particularly in the delivery of major infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, and railways.

He described the partnership with China as essential to Nigeria’s legislative drive for economic diversification, job creation, and poverty alleviation.

“Our partnership with China is maturing in ways that support our national development goals. We will continue to leverage these relationships for mutual benefit,” Abbas stated.

Strategic Opportunities for Lagos

The collaboration with Guangdong offers Lagos State new opportunities to:

Attract technology transfer and innovation to boost the local digital economy

Expand the blue economy sector, particularly through joint investments in maritime infrastructure, port services, and coastal tourism

Promote cultural and educational exchanges, enhancing people-to-people relationships between Nigerians and Chinese citizens

Encourage joint ventures and trade facilitation, especially in manufacturing, fintech, logistics, and smart city development

Strengthen urban infrastructure development through China-backed smart city models and renewable energy solutions

Looking Ahead

With the groundwork now laid for formalizing the partnership through an MoU, both Lagos and Guangdong appear poised to unlock new growth paths. The collaboration promises to deliver real economic benefits to Lagosians while reinforcing Lagos' position as a regional economic powerhouse.

As the city-state continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and trade in West Africa, partnerships like this will play an increasingly central role in shaping its future.

Lagos State’s embrace of international cooperation—anchored in Governor Sanwo-Olu’s inclusive governance vision—is not only boosting local economic resilience but also building bridges to global opportunities. The partnership with Guangdong is the latest example of that global ambition.