The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill to alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, requiring social media companies to have physical offices in the nation.
“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)” is the name of the proposed legislation that Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) introduced.
While introducing the bill, Senator Nwoko highlighted Nigeria’s significant digital presence, pointing out that, with more than 220 million people, it is the most populated country in Africa and the second-most social media-using country in the world.
Nigerians use the internet for three hours and forty-six minutes a day on average, he said, citing a “Global Web Index” data cited by “Business Insider Africa.”
Despite this high level of involvement, he noted that, in contrast to other nations, giant social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and 𝕏 do not have real offices in Nigeria.
Sen. Nwoko outlined a number of issues stemming from the lack of local offices, including insufficient representation, negative economic effects, and challenges in implementing legal and data protection laws.
Updated Guidelines for Bloggers
The measure also establishes new guidelines for Nigerian bloggers that operate outside of social media.
All bloggers are required to: – Open a verified office in one of the nation’s capital cities; – Keep accurate personnel records. Be associated with a reputable national blogger association with its main office located in Abuja.
The purpose of these steps, according to Senator Nwoko, is to bring Nigeria’s digital media landscape into line with standards seen in conventional media organizations by improving accountability, transparency, and professionalism.
He explained that the goal of the bill is equity and recognition for Nigeria’s role as a significant player in digital engagement, not to unfairly target social media platforms.
A Viewpoint of the Senate President
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the value of local offices for social media companies, but he also warned that regulating bloggers needs careful consideration.
Although having an address is a good idea, he said, bloggers are a little different. I believe that for much more streamlined clarity, it would be better if the bill went to a second reading and then a public hearing.
He emphasized that the legislation is not intended to stifle social media and that its goal is to create a framework for proper taxation and record-keeping for digital platforms that operate in Nigeria.
“We wait until it reaches the stage of public hearing,” Senator Akpabio added, adding, “I was looking to see if it intends to gag bloggers, but I haven’t seen that.”
The bill has been sent to the Senate ICT and Cybersecurity Committee, which has two months to submit its report.
