By Anayo Akwitti
A proposal to compel global social media companies operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country has received strong backing from stakeholders at a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.
The hearing focused on a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) seeking to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 to make it mandatory for social media platforms operating in Nigeria to maintain physical offices within the country’s territorial boundaries.
Stakeholders also endorsed a separate bill sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South) for the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central), said the social media bill is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and protecting the country’s cyberspace, while the AI academy would serve as a centre of excellence for artificial intelligence education, research and innovation.
Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru described both bills as forward-looking legislative initiatives that reflect the Senate’s commitment to responsive governance and technological advancement.
He assured stakeholders that the proposal requiring social media companies to establish offices in Nigeria was not intended to stifle innovation or discourage investment.
Sponsor of the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko, also dismissed concerns that the legislation could be hostile to technology companies, insisting that its objective is to encourage deeper engagement with Nigeria’s economy.
“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 economies and populations than Nigeria have successfully attracted global technology firms by creating an enabling environment for local operations.
He cited the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, India, South Africa, Brazil Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates as examples where companies such as Meta and Google maintain multiple offices handling engineering, artificial intelligence research, regulatory compliance, customer support, public policy and product development.
According to him, the presence of these companies has generated employment, boosted tax revenues, strengthened regulatory collaboration, encouraged technology transfer and attracted additional foreign investment.
He questioned why Nigeria, Africa’s largest digital market, should continue to operate without securing similar commitments from major global technology companies.
Stakeholders at the hearing overwhelmingly supported the proposed legislation, describing it as a strategic step towards improving regulatory engagement, creating jobs, expanding the digital economy and positioning Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
