A bill seeking the regulation of social media companies in Nigeria scaled has scaled second reading in the Senate even as the lawmakers said it should not be misconstrued as gagging the social media.
The bill is seeking social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, whatsApp, Tik tok among other to establish physical offices within the country.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the regulation of bloggers requires careful consideration just as he agreed that having a local address for digital platforms was long overdue.
“It’s good to have an address, but bloggers are slightly different. I think the best thing is for the bill to go for a second reading and subsequently public hearing for much more streamlined clarity,” he said.
Senator Akpabio, however, explained that the bill was not an attempt to gag social media, but rather as a framework for appropriate taxation and record-keeping for digital platforms operating in Nigeria.
Leading debate on Tuesday, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko said it is not only of national importance, but also central to Nigeria’s @111, economy, and technological development as it “seeks to correct a glaring omission in how multinational social media companies engage with our country.”
Specifically, the piece of legislation, titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023″Is to mandate the establishment of physical offices within the territorial boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms.
He noted that Nigeria as Africa’s most populous nation with over 220 million people has a significant digital presence, ranking first in Africa and second globally in terms of social media usage, spending an average of three hours and 46 minutes daily online, according to a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa.
The lawmaker added that despite the high engagement, multinational social media corporations such as Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat do not maintain physical offices in Nigeria, unlike in other climes.
Senator Nwoko outlined several challenges resulting from the absence of social media offices in Nigeria, including limited local representation; economic losses as well as challenges in legal and data protection compliance.
He further revealed that the bill proposes new regulations for bloggers operating in Nigeria, mandating them to establish a verifiable office in any of the capital cities across the country; maintain proper employee records; and belong to a recognized national association of bloggers, headquartered in Abuja.
This measure, he explained is intended to promote accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space, similar to traditional media houses.
Senator Nwoko clarified that the bill is not an attack on social media platforms, but a demand for equity and respect for Nigeria’s position as a global leader in digital engagement.
The bill was later referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security for further legislative process and to report back in two months.
LEAD DEBATE ON THE 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 (SB. 648)
Sponsor: Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North)
Distinguished President of the Senate, esteemed colleagues, I rise this day to lead the debate on a matter that is not only of national importance but is also central to Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy, and technological development.
The Bill before us, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, LFN, 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, 2024”, seeks to correct a glaring omission in how multinational social media companies engage with our country.
This Bill was read for the first time on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Our dear nation, Nigeria, is not just the most populous country in Africa; we are also one of the most active when it comes to digital engagement. With over 220 million people, social media has become an essential part of our daily lives.
According to the Global Web Index as reported by Business Insider Africa, Nigerians rank first in Africa and second globally in terms of daily social media usage, spending an average of 3 hours and 46 minutes online.
Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have become indispensable to millions of our people.
These platforms are not just tools of communication; they are ecosystems that influence our politics, shape public opinion, drive entrepreneurship, and provide avenues for education and entertainment.
However, despite the enormous user base and the value generated from Nigerian participation, these multinational corporations have no physical offices in Nigeria.
This stands in sharp contrast to their presence in other countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Singapore, and Australia, where they maintain offices to address regional concerns, manage content policies, and build partnerships.
THE GAP
Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the absence of physical offices for these social media giants in Nigeria presents major challenges, including:
1. Limited Local Representation: The lack of a local presence creates a disconnect between the platforms and their Nigerian user base. Resolving user complaints, addressing regulatory concerns, or managing content moderation issues specific to Nigeria often takes longer due to the geographical and cultural distance.
2. Missed Economic Opportunities: The absence of physical offices has deprived us of numerous opportunities. Economically, it denies Nigeria the benefits of job creation in areas such as customer service, content moderation, legal compliance, and marketing.
Imagine the thousands of young Nigerians who could be employed by these companies, gaining valuable skills and contributing to our economy. Technology transfer is another area where Nigeria stands to benefit immensely.
Countries like China and South Korea became leaders in electronics and automobile manufacturing by fostering local partnerships with foreign firms and adapting their technologies.
If these social media giants establish a local presence, Nigerian engineers, developers, and tech professionals will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in the world and adapt cutting-edge technologies.
3. Difficulty in redressal: The legal implications of their absence are equally concerning. Without physical offices in Nigeria, enforcing data protection laws, resolving disputes, and safeguarding user rights becomes a complex process.
This Bill seeks to simplify this process by ensuring that these platforms are physically present to respond to the unique needs of their Nigerian users and comply with our laws.
Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, the success stories of multinational corporations that have established a presence in Nigeria should serve as an example.
Companies like MTN, Shell, Chevron, Nestlé, and Total have not only thrived in our market but have also enriched our workforce through job creation, training, and partnerships.
This Bill, therefore, is not an attack on these platforms. It is a call for equity and fairness. It is a demand for respect and recognition of Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.
In furtherance of our commitment to a structured and accountable digital space, this Bill also mandates that all bloggers operating in Nigeria must establish a verifiable office in any of the capital cities across the country.
They must keep proper records of their employees and belong to a recognized national association of bloggers, which shall have its headquarters in Abuja.
We cannot continue to have a situation where individuals operate anonymously, spreading information—sometimes false—without any structure or accountability.
Just like traditional media houses, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to ensure professionalism, transparency, and responsibility in their operations.
Distinguished President of the Senate, respected colleagues, I urge you all to support the passage of this Bill. It is a bold step towards ensuring that Nigeria’s digital space is not only vibrant but also fair and just for all stakeholders.
Thank You.
