Global social media giants operating in Nigeria may soon be required to establish physical offices within the country, following strong support for a proposed law during a Senate public hearing in Abuja on Thursday.
The proposal, a draft amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, is sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North). It aims to compel tech platforms to set up local operations, a move supporters say will boost corporate accountability and spur economic growth across Africa’s largest digital market.
Defending the bill, Nwoko argued that smaller digital markets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America have successfully hosted hubs for tech platforms without scaring away investors. Pointing to Ireland’s transformation into a major tech hub by hosting firms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and X, Nwoko questioned why Nigeria should not reap similar rewards through local employment, increased tax revenues, and tech transfer.
“This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria,” Nwoko said during the hearing, adding that the goal is to encourage global platforms to become “true corporate citizens.”
The public hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security, also considered a second bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), the proposed institution is intended to function as a center of excellence for AI education, research, and innovation.
Opening the session, Committee Chairman Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central) explained that both pieces of legislation form part of a broader push to strengthen the nation’s digital economy and cyberspace regulation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), endorsed both proposals as forward-looking measures of national importance, clarifying that localizing social media offices is intended to foster direct engagement rather than restrict operations.
The Senate ICT committee is currently evaluating submitted memoranda from key stakeholders before submitting its formal report to the full chamber for further legislative action.