The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill aimed at compelling global social media companies, including Facebook (Meta), TikTok, and others, to establish physical offices in the country.
Stakeholders gave overwhelming support to the proposal during a public hearing held in Abuja on Thursday.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
It would mandate social media platforms operating in Nigeria to maintain physical offices within the country’s borders.
The public hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security, also considered a separate bill proposing the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South). Both bills received broad backing.
Declaring the hearing open, the committee chairman, Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), stated that the measures aim to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and advance technological development.
The social media bill focuses on better regulation and protection of cyberspace, while the AI Academy would serve as a centre of excellence for education, research, and innovation in artificial intelligence.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described the proposals as forward-looking and of national importance.
Akpabio clarified that the social media offices bill is not meant to stifle operations but to promote greater accountability and local engagement.
Sponsor Senator Ned Nwoko dismissed fears that the bill could discourage investment or target tech 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 highlighted that many countries with smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria, such as the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Brazil, Ireland, and the UAE have successfully attracted major tech companies to set up local headquarters, engineering centres, and operational hubs.
These offices support functions ranging from AI research and regulatory compliance to customer support and product development, creating jobs, boosting tax revenue, fostering innovation, and enabling technology transfer.
He pointed to Ireland’s transformation into a European tech hub thanks to the presence of companies like Meta, Google, TikTok, and X, and argued that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, deserves similar benefits.
The Senate committee will now review all memoranda and submissions from stakeholders before presenting its report for further legislative action.
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