The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward requiring global social media companies, including Facebook, X and TikTok, to establish physical offices in Nigeria after stakeholders overwhelmingly backed the proposal during a public hearing in Abuja. The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to make it mandatory for social media platforms operating in the country to maintain a local presence.
Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru said the proposed legislation is aimed at promoting accountability and stronger engagement with Nigeria rather than discouraging technology companies from doing business in the country.
Defending the bill, Nwoko said, “This bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria. On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country.”
The lawmaker argued that countries such as the United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Brazil have successfully attracted major technology firms to establish local offices, resulting in job creation, increased tax revenue and stronger digital innovation.
He said, “These countries did not attract such investments by accident. They recognised early that the digital economy is now as important as the traditional economy.”
According to Nwoko, Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, should enjoy similar benefits.
He asked, “The question, therefore, is simple: if countries with significantly smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria have secured these investments and benefits, why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines? Why should Africa’s largest digital market not enjoy the same opportunities?”
The Senate Committee handling the bill will now review submissions from stakeholders before presenting its report for further legislative consideration. Lawmakers also received support for a separate proposal seeking the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
