A Senate proposal to require global social media platforms operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country gained strong backing on Thursday, as stakeholders overwhelmingly endorsed the bill during a public hearing in Abuja.
The stakeholders also threw their weight behind a separate bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, describing both measures as critical to Nigeria’s digital transformation and technological advancement.
The two public hearings were organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security.
The first bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks 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.
The second bill, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), proposes the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti as a centre for AI education, research and innovation.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central), said the proposed amendment to the Data Protection Act was aimed at strengthening the protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace, while the AI Academy would position the country as a hub for cutting-edge research and capacity building in emerging technologies.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described both bills as forward-looking legislative initiatives that reflect the Senate’s commitment to good governance, innovation and national development.
Akpabio dismissed concerns that the proposed law was intended to restrict the operations of social media companies.
According to him, the objective is to promote accountability, improve regulatory engagement and ensure that multinational technology firms operating in Nigeria contribute more meaningfully to the country’s economy
Nwoko also defended the proposed legislation, insisting that it was neither punitive nor hostile to innovation.
“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 many countries with far smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria had successfully attracted technology giants to establish regional headquarters and operational centres within their territories.
He cited the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Brazil, Australia and Japan as examples where companies such as Meta and Google maintain multiple offices handling engineering, artificial intelligence research, legal compliance, public policy, customer support, advertising, cloud services and product development.
According to him, those countries deliberately created an enabling environment for global technology firms, resulting in increased employment, technology transfer, higher tax revenues and stronger collaboration between regulators and the companies.
Nwoko pointed to Ireland as a leading example, noting that the presence of companies such as Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X has transformed the country into one of Europe’s foremost technology hubs.
He said the firms employ thousands of professionals, contribute significantly to the Irish economy and have helped build local technological capacity while attracting further foreign investment.
Questioning why Nigeria should remain without similar investments despite being Africa’s largest digital market, Nwoko said the country stood to gain enormously from requiring social media companies to establish physical offices.
Nwoko pointed to Ireland as a leading example, noting that the presence of companies such as Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X has transformed the country into one of Europe’s foremost technology hubs.
He said the firms employ thousands of professionals, contribute significantly to the Irish economy and have helped build local technological capacity while attracting further foreign investment.
Questioning why Nigeria should remain without similar investments despite being Africa’s largest digital market, Nwoko said the country stood to gain enormously from requiring social media companies to establish physical offices.
