Bill Mandating Social Media Platforms, Bloggers to Have Offices in Nigeria Passes Second Reading
A bill seeking to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to mandate social media platforms and bloggers to establish physical offices in the country has passed its second reading in the Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), the bill aims to ensure multinational digital platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have a local presence in Nigeria.
Leading the debate, Nwoko highlighted Nigeria’s significant digital engagement, stating that with over 220 million people, the country ranks first in Africa and second globally in social media usage.
He cited a Global Web Index report, referenced by Business Insider Africa, which states that Nigerians spend an average of three hours and 46 minutes online daily.
He noted that despite this high engagement, major social media companies do not maintain physical offices in Nigeria, unlike in other countries.
He outlined issues arising from this absence, including limited local representation, economic losses, and challenges in legal and data protection compliance.
The bill also proposes regulations for bloggers, requiring them to have verifiable offices in any of Nigeria’s capital cities.
It mandates bloggers to keep proper employee records and belong to a recognised national association of bloggers headquartered in Abuja.
Nwoko explained that these measures aim to enhance accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space, similar to traditional media houses.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commenting on the bill, acknowledged the importance of local addresses for digital platforms but stressed the need for careful consideration regarding blogger regulations.
He stated: “It’s good to have an address, but bloggers are slightly different. I think the best thing is for the bill to go for a second reading and subsequently public hearing for much more streamlined clarity.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
