Senate Endorses Bill for Social Media Offices in Nigeria

On Thursday, during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, stakeholders endorsed a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North). The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023," mandates social media platforms to establish physical offices within Nigeria's territorial boundaries.

Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (APC, Ogun Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee, stated that the bill aims to safeguard Nigeria’s cyberspace. Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), described the bill as significant for national governance.

Senator Nwoko emphasized that the legislation is not punitive and cited examples of countries that require global tech companies to maintain local offices, arguing that Nigeria should secure similar investments to benefit from job creation and technology transfer.