Senate Moves to Require Social Media Firms' Offices in Nigeria

On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate advanced a legislative proposal to compel global social media companies, including Facebook and TikTok, to establish physical offices in Nigeria. This initiative was supported during a public hearing in Abuja, organized by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security.

The bill, sponsored by Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, mandating social media companies to maintain offices within Nigeria's territorial boundaries. Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, stated that the legislation aims to enhance Nigeria’s digital economy and cyberspace regulation.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described the bill as significant for national accountability. Nwoko emphasized that the bill is not punitive but aims to foster corporate citizenship among technology firms, citing successful examples from other countries that have attracted global tech companies.