The Nigerian Senate has proposed a bill seeking to mandate social media platforms to establish physical offices in the country. The proposed amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and has passed its second reading.
Nwoko highlighted Nigeria’s significant digital presence, noting that despite the country’s large online engagement, major social media companies like Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat do not have local offices. He argued that this absence results in economic losses, weak legal compliance, and limited local representation.
The bill also introduces regulations for bloggers, requiring them to have a verifiable office, maintain proper employee records, and belong to a recognised national association. Nwoko emphasised that these measures aim to promote accountability and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space, ensuring that social media platforms and bloggers operate with the same level of responsibility as traditional media houses.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio supported the idea of requiring social media platforms to have a local presence but stressed the need for careful consideration regarding bloggers. He assured that the bill is not intended to suppress online expression but to provide a framework for taxation and regulatory compliance.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security for further deliberation, with a report expected in two months.