BY CHIJIOKE. CHARLES
The Senate has moved a step closer to compelling multinational technology companies, including Meta, X, TikTok, Google, YouTube and Snapchat, to establish physical offices in Nigeria, following a public hearing on a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North).
The proposed legislation, considered on Thursday by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by making it mandatory for major social media platforms, data controllers and digital service providers operating in Nigeria to maintain operational offices in the country or face regulatory sanctions, including possible restrictions on their operations.
Afrilensnews gathered that the bill is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, improve regulatory oversight, enhance data protection, boost tax compliance, create jobs and improve cooperation between technology companies and Nigerian authorities on security and consumer protection matters.
Defending the bill at the public hearing, Senator Nwoko argued that Nigeria remains Africa’s largest digital market, yet many global technology firms generate enormous revenue from Nigerian users without maintaining a meaningful physical presence in the country.
According to him, the absence of local offices has made it difficult for regulators to enforce data protection laws, promptly resolve consumer complaints and engage effectively with technology companies during criminal investigations.
Under the proposed amendment, affected companies would be required to establish offices within Nigeria’s territorial boundaries. Failure to comply within 30 days after the law takes effect could attract sanctions, including a prohibition from carrying on business in Nigeria.
The bill also introduces new legal definitions for operators of social media platforms, physical offices, data controllers and data processors while empowering the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to monitor and enforce compliance.
Declaring the public hearing open on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Deputy Senate Leader described the exercise as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital regulatory framework in line with global best practices.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, assured stakeholders that every memorandum and recommendation submitted during the hearing would be carefully examined before the committee presents its report to the Senate.
He stressed that the committee approached the assignment with an open mind, noting that public hearings remain essential for producing balanced legislation that encourages innovation while protecting Nigeria’s national interest.
Further defending the proposal, Senator Nwoko pointed to countries such as Ireland, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, which have attracted regional headquarters and operational offices of leading technology companies, resulting in job creation and stronger regulatory engagement.
He maintained that requiring multinational technology firms to establish offices in Nigeria would create employment opportunities in engineering, software development, cybersecurity, legal compliance, customer support, public policy and content moderation, while encouraging technology transfer and collaboration with Nigerian startups and universities.
The lawmaker also linked the proposal to national security, arguing that direct engagement with technology companies would enable law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to cybercrime, terrorism financing, kidnapping, online fraud and other digital offences.
He, however, dismissed concerns that the bill was aimed at censoring social media users, insisting that it was designed to strengthen corporate accountability rather than restrict freedom of expression.
The committee also received memoranda from government agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations, digital rights groups and other stakeholders, who expressed differing views on the proposed legislation before the hearing was adjourned for further review.
If eventually passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the legislation would compel multinational technology companies doing business in Nigeria to establish permanent corporate offices in the country.
The move is expected to deepen regulatory oversight, improve consumer protection, increase tax accountability, strengthen national security cooperation and potentially create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
