The Nigerian Senate has pushed forward key legislative steps on Thursday toward Social Media Bill proposals mandating foreign tech platforms to maintain a physical presence within the country, earning widespread backing from key industry players at an Abuja public session.
During the session organized by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, attendees also expressed strong endorsement for a separate legislative proposal to set up a National Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by making it mandatory for social media companies operating in Nigeria to establish local physical offices.
Meanwhile, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), who heads the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, introduced the AI Academy legislation.
Opening the hearing, ICT and Cyber Security Committee Chairman Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central) explained that both proposals aim to boost the country’s digital space and drive technological growth.
He noted that the proposed institute will function as a hub for AI-focused training, research, and innovation, while the Social Media Bill will strengthen oversight and safeguard Nigeria’s digital space.
Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (Kwara South) lauded both measures as visionary steps of major national importance.
Concerns that the legislation could discourage investment or target technology companies.
Godswill Akpabio said the proposal requiring social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria is not intended to hinder their operations but to promote greater accountability and stronger engagement with the country.
Ned Nwoko also defended the proposed legislation, dismissing concerns that it would discourage investment or unfairly target technology companies.
He said, “This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria.
“On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country.”
In addition, he noted that many countries with smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria had successfully attracted global technology firms to establish local operations.
Backstory…
The Senate’s push to require social media giants such as Facebook and TikTok to establish physical offices in Nigeria revives a longstanding debate over the regulation of global technology companies operating in the country. Successive governments have argued that despite
Nigeria being one of Africa’s largest digital markets, many major platforms generate significant revenue from Nigerian users without maintaining local offices, making tax collection, regulatory oversight and user engagement more difficult.
The issue gained prominence following the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter (now X) in 2021, after which authorities repeatedly urged global tech firms to establish a physical presence in Nigeria.
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