Nigeria’s digital space may soon witness stricter regulations as the Senate considers a bill that seeks to compel global social media companies operating in the country to establish physical offices locally.
The proposal received strong backing from stakeholders during a public hearing organised on Thursday by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security in Abuja.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, the bill seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by requiring social media platforms with operations in Nigeria to maintain a physical presence within the country.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented at the hearing by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru, said the proposed social media regulation was not aimed at restricting technology companies but at encouraging accountability and deeper engagement with Nigeria.
Defending the bill, Senator Nwoko said the proposal was neither punitive nor hostile to innovation, arguing that local offices would help create jobs, increase tax revenue, improve regulatory cooperation and promote technology transfer.
He cited countries including the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, where major technology firms have established operational centres that support research, compliance, customer service and product development.
Nwoko added that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, should benefit from similar investments and opportunities.
At the same hearing, stakeholders also supported a separate bill proposing the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, said the two bills were designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, improve cybersecurity regulation and promote technological innovation.
The Senate Committee is expected to review submissions from stakeholders before preparing its report for further legislative consideration.
