A Nigerian Senate bill requiring social media companies to set up physical offices advances to its second reading. Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, the bill addresses local engagement and the need for regulatory oversight in the rapidly growing digital landscape of Nigeria. It also mandates that bloggers establish verifiable offices in capital cities.
A recent legislative development in Nigeria has seen a bill requiring social media companies to establish physical offices within the country’s borders advance to its second reading in the Senate. This initiative was introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,” aims to ensure that social media platforms operate locally in Nigeria and addresses significant deficiencies in their engagement with the nation. Senator Nwoko highlighted that the bill was first introduced on November 21, 2024, and asserts Nigeria’s position as a leading global hub for social media engagement.
Senator Nwoko emphasized Nigeria’s demographic significance, stating that it is not only Africa’s most populous country but also ranks highly regarding digital interactions. With more than 220 million citizens, social media is integral to daily life. Data from the Global Web Index, cited by Business Insider Africa, indicates that Nigerians have the highest daily social media usage in Africa and second highest globally, averaging nearly four hours online each day.
The senator pointed out that the lack of local offices for major social media companies hinders proper representation and has led to missed economic opportunities for the country. Consequently, the bill mandates that all bloggers operating in Nigeria must also set up a verifiable office in any of the country’s capital cities to enhance regulatory oversight and promote local engagement.
The bill spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko marks a significant step towards enhancing local representation and fostering economic opportunities for Nigeria within the digital landscape. By requiring social media platforms and bloggers to establish physical offices in the country, the legislation aims to address previous gaps in engagement and oversight, positioning Nigeria as an active player in the global digital economy.
Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm
