Bill Requiring Physical Office For Bloggers Scales A Second Reading In Senate

The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill to alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, which would require social media companies to open physical offices in the nation.

This is a significant legislative milestone. The proposed law, which is currently in its second reading, intends to improve data protection compliance, economic rewards, and local participation in Nigeria’s digital sphere.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms, and for Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 650),” was sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (APC, Delta North). Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, instructing them to report back within two months.

Presenting the bill, Senator Nwoko highlighted Nigeria’s dominant digital footprint in Africa, noting that the country, with a population exceeding 220 million people, ranks first in Africa and second globally in terms of social media usage. Nigerians spend an average of three hours and 46 minutes daily on social platforms, according to a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa.

Despite this massive engagement, global social media giants such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat do not have physical offices in Nigeria. In contrast, these corporations maintain offices in several other countries where they operate, ensuring direct local engagement, regulatory compliance, and economic contributions.

Senator Nwoko outlined several critical issues arising from the lack of physical offices by these tech giants, including:

• Limited local representation, making it difficult for Nigerians to engage directly with platform administrators.
• Economic losses, as the absence of registered offices limits tax contributions and job creation.
• Challenges in legal and data protection compliance, particularly in addressing cybercrimes, online abuse, and misinformation.

Beyond social media platforms, the bill also introduces regulatory measures for bloggers operating in Nigeria. It mandates that:

• All bloggers must establish a verifiable office in any of Nigeria’s capital cities.
• They must maintain proper employee records and operate with a formal business structure.
• Bloggers must belong to a recognized national association, headquartered in Abuja, to ensure accountability, transparency, and professionalism in digital media operations.

Addressing concerns that the bill might be an attack on social media platforms, Senator Nwoko emphasized that the legislation is not designed to stifle free speech or digital innovation.

Instead, it is a call for equity and respect for Nigeria’s role as a global leader in digital engagement. By requiring these platforms to establish a local presence, the bill seeks to create a fair business environment, enhance regulatory oversight, and maximize economic benefits for Nigeria.

With the bill now under review by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, the next few months will be crucial in determining how Nigeria moves forward in reshaping its digital economy and enforcing stronger data protection policies.

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