Nigerian lawmakers have moved to require social media companies operating in the country to set up physical offices locally, after stakeholders overwhelmingly backed the proposal at a public hearing in Abuja.
The hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security, also drew broad support for a separate bill to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The social media bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to make it mandatory for social media companies to maintain offices within Nigeria’s borders.
The AI Academy bill is sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity.
Declaring the hearing open, ICT and Cyber Security Committee Chairman Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central) said both bills are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and technological development.
Senate Leadership Backs Local Office Requirement
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described both proposals as forward-looking and important for the nation.
Akpabio said the social media office requirement is not meant to restrict company operations, but to promote greater accountability and closer engagement with Nigeria.
Defending the bill further, Nwoko rejected concerns that it could discourage investment or single out technology firms.
“This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria,” he said.
“On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country,” Nwoko added.
Nwoko Cites Ireland as Model for Tech Investment
Nwoko pointed to countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Singapore, India, South Africa and Brazil, which have attracted global technology firms to open local offices covering engineering, artificial intelligence research, regulatory compliance and customer support.
He said these countries recognised early that the digital economy now matters as much as traditional industry, and that local offices have created jobs, expanded tax revenue and encouraged technology transfer.
Citing Ireland specifically, Nwoko said hosting firms like Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X helped turn the country into one of Europe’s leading technology hubs.
He argued Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, deserves similar benefits.
“If countries with significantly smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria have secured these investments and benefits, why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines?” he said.
The Senate committee is expected to review memoranda submitted by stakeholders before presenting its report to the full Senate for further legislative action.
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