By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A bill aimed at amending the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media platforms to establish physical offices within Nigeria has passed its second reading in the Senate.
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 introduced by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Delta North.
Following the second reading, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security for further examination and a report within two months.
In his lead debate, Senator Nwoko emphasized the significance of Nigeria’s digital presence, highlighting the country’s position as Africa’s most populous nation with over 220 million people and its ranking as the continent’s leader in social media usage.
According to a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa, Nigerians spend an average of three hours and 46 minutes daily online, making it the second-highest globally in terms of social media engagement.
However, despite the country’s extensive digital footprint, Senator Nwoko pointed out that multinational social media giants such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat do not have physical offices in Nigeria, unlike their presence in other countries.
He argued that this lack of local representation has resulted in significant challenges, including economic losses, limited legal compliance, and data protection concerns.
The bill seeks to address these issues by mandating that major social media platforms establish physical offices within Nigeria.
It also proposes new regulations for bloggers in the country, requiring them to set up verifiable offices in any of Nigeria’s capital cities, maintain proper employee records, and register with a recognized national association of bloggers headquartered in Abuja.
Senator Nwoko stressed that the goal is to promote transparency, accountability, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space, mirroring the structure of traditional media outlets.
Nwoko clarified that the bill is not an attack on social media platforms but rather a call for equity, emphasizing Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.
The proposed legislation aims to ensure that these platforms adhere to local regulations, respect Nigeria’s digital significance, and contribute positively to the country’s economy.
If passed into law, this bill could mark a significant step toward greater regulatory control and accountability for foreign digital platforms operating in Nigeria.
