By: Manoah kikekon
 |
| Nigerians Senate [Photo credit: Premium Time |
The Nigerian Senate has moved forward with a bill mandating major social media platforms, including TikTok, Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), X (formerly Twitter), and others, to establish physical offices within the country.
The bill, which has passed its second reading, aims to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023 and was introduced by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senator Nwoko emphasized that the bill is not an attack on social media platforms but a push for fairness and recognition of Nigeria’s significant role in the global digital landscape.
“This bill is not an attack on these platforms; it is a call for equity and fairness,” Nwoko stated. “It is also a demand for respect and recognition of Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s massive digital presence, referencing a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa, which underscores the country’s influence in the digital sphere.
Senator Nwoko outlined several issues stemming from the absence of physical offices for these platforms, including limited local representation, economic losses, and challenges in legal and data protection compliance. He argued that the bill would foster accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem.
“In furtherance to our commitment to a structured and accountable digital space, this bill also mandates all bloggers operating in Nigeria to have an office verifiable in any of the capital cities across the country,” Nwoko explained.
He added that bloggers must maintain proper employee records and belong to a recognized national body headquartered in Abuja.
“We can’t continue to have a situation whereby individuals operate anonymously, spreading false information without accountability. Just as traditional media houses, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to ensure professionalism, transparency, and responsibility in their operations,” Nwoko stated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that the bill is not intended to stifle social media platforms but to create a framework for accountability and economic benefits.
“I don’t want the world to misunderstand us as if the Senate is trying to gag social media. That is not the intention here. The intention is for tax purposes and to have a register of operators,” Akpabio said.
He acknowledged the potential benefits of the bill for both social media platforms and bloggers, emphasizing the importance of regulation in fostering a responsible digital environment.
(People Gazette)