A bill that would require major social media companies operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country has received strong backing from stakeholders during a public hearing at the Senate.
The stakeholders also supported a separate bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, to boost AI education and research in Nigeria.
The public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security to consider both proposed legislations.
The social media bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, making it mandatory for social media platforms and certain digital service providers operating in Nigeria to maintain functional offices within the country.
Speaking at the hearing, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, said the proposed law is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and improving engagement between technology companies and regulators.
Declaring the hearing open, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru, described both bills as forward-looking initiatives designed to promote good governance and technological development.
He stressed that the proposal is not meant to discourage investment or restrict the operations of technology companies, but to improve communication with Nigerian regulators and users.
Defending the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko said it was intended to encourage global technology companies to become more accountable and contribute directly to Nigeria’s economy.
“This Bill is not punitive. It seeks to deepen the engagement of global technology companies with Nigeria by encouraging them to become responsible corporate citizens,” Nwoko said.
The lawmaker noted that countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, India, Brazil, South Africa and Japan have benefited from hosting local offices of major technology firms through increased employment, technology transfer, improved regulatory compliance and higher tax revenue.
He argued that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, deserves similar investments.
According to Nwoko, the proposed law will require companies such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat to establish physical offices in Nigeria if they operate in the country.
He added that having local offices would strengthen national security by providing direct channels of communication between technology firms and Nigerian authorities, improve the enforcement of data protection laws, enhance consumer protection, boost tax compliance and create more job opportunities.
The senator also revealed that the bill contains provisions aimed at improving accountability among bloggers and digital media operators, with the goal of promoting professionalism, transparency and responsible online engagement.
The legislation previously passed its second reading in March and is now progressing through the Senate’s legislative process.
