Senate backs bill to compel Facebook, TikTok, others to establish offices in Nigeria
The Senate on Thursday advanced legislative efforts to compel global social media platforms operating in Nigeria, including Facebook, TikTok and X, to establish physical offices in the country, as stakeholders overwhelmingly backed the proposal during a public hearing in Abuja.
The hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security, also received broad support for a separate bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The proposed legislation on social media platforms, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media companies operating in Nigeria to maintain physical offices within the country’s territorial boundaries.
The bill establishing the AI Academy is sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South).
Declaring the hearing open, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), said both bills were designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and drive technological advancement.
According to him, while the social media bill seeks to improve regulation, accountability and the protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace, the proposed AI Academy is intended to serve as a centre of excellence for artificial intelligence education, research and innovation.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described the proposed legislations as forward-looking and of national importance.
Akpabio said the bill requiring global social media companies to establish offices in Nigeria was not intended to stifle innovation or discourage investment but to promote greater accountability, regulatory engagement and stronger partnerships with the country.
Defending the bill, Senator Nwoko dismissed concerns that the legislation was targeted at technology companies or could discourage foreign investment.
“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,” he said.
Nwoko argued that several countries with smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria had successfully attracted global technology firms to establish regional headquarters and operational centres.
He listed the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Brazil, Australia and Japan as examples of countries hosting major technology firms.
According to him, these offices perform critical functions, including engineering, artificial intelligence research, legal and regulatory compliance, public policy, advertising, trust and safety, cloud services, sales, customer support and product development.
He noted that countries such as Ireland had transformed into major technology hubs through the presence of companies like Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X, resulting in increased employment, innovation, technology transfer, foreign investment and tax revenue.
“The question, therefore, is simple: if countries with significantly smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria have secured these investments and benefits, why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines? Why should Africa’s largest digital market not enjoy the same opportunities?” he asked.
The Senate committee is expected to review memoranda submitted by stakeholders before presenting its report to the Senate for further legislative consideration.