The Nigerian Senate has passed for a second reading a bill aimed at requiring social media platforms such as TikTok, Meta, X, and others to establish physical offices within the country.
The bill, which seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023, was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents the Delta North Senatorial District.
“This bill is not an attack on these platforms; it is a call for equity and fairness,” Senator Nwoko stated during Tuesday’s plenary. “It is also a demand for respect and recognition of Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.”
Nwoko underscored Nigeria’s significant digital presence globally, referencing a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa. He pointed out several challenges arising from the lack of physical offices for these platforms, such as limited local representation, economic losses, and difficulties with legal and data protection compliance. He argued that the bill would help promote accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space.
“In furtherance of our commitment to a structured and accountable digital space, this bill also mandates all bloggers operating in Nigeria to have an office verifiable in any of the capital cities across the country,” Nwoko continued. “They must keep proper records of employees and belong to a recognized national body, which shall have its headquarters in Abuja. We can’t continue to have a situation where individuals operate anonymously, spreading false information without accountability. Just as traditional media houses, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to ensure professionalism, transparency, and responsibility in their operations.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also spoke on the bill, clarifying that it was not an attempt to silence social media platforms. He emphasized that the bill’s objective was to enhance tax collection and create a register of operators.
“I don’t want the world to misunderstand us as if the Senate is trying to gag social media. That is not the intention here. The intention is for tax purposes and to have a register of operators,” Akpabio explained.