Bill Mandating Facebook, Bloggers, Others To Have Offices In Nigeria Passes Second Reading

A bill aiming to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media platforms to set up physical offices in the nation has been passed through the Senate’s second reading.

A bill to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, to mandate the establishment of physical offices within the territorial boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through social media platforms, and for related issues, 2025 (SB) is the title of the bill. Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) sponsored 650).

According to a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa, Senator Nwoko noted that Nigeria, the most populous nation with over 220 million people, has a significant digital presence, ranking first in Africa and second globally in terms of social media usage. It spends an average of three hours and 46 minutes per day online.

He emphasized that, unlike in other countries, multinational social media companies like Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat do not run physical locations in Nigeria despite the high engagement rates.

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In addition to having limited local representation, economic losses, and challenges in ensuring legal and data protection compliance, Senator Nwoko cited several issues that arise as a result of Nigeria’s lack of social media offices.

Additionally, the bill makes recommendations for new rules for Nigerian bloggers. It requires that all bloggers:
– Set up a verifiable office in any of the nation’s largest cities.
– Keep accurate records of employees.
– Be a part of an established national blogger organization with its main office in Abuja.

Similar to traditional media houses, this measure, according to Senator Nwoko, is intended to promote accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media landscape.

He claimed that the bill is a call for respect for Nigeria’s position as a global leader in digital engagement rather than an attack on social media platforms.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged in a statement regarding the bill that while having a local address for digital platforms is beneficial, blogging regulations need to be carefully considered.

He said, “Bloggers are a little different from one another, but it’s good to have an address.” For much more simplified clarity, I believe a second reading and subsequent public hearing would be the best thing to do.

He argued that the bill should not serve as a framework for appropriate taxation and record-keeping for digital platforms operating in Nigeria.

Senator Akpabio continued, “We wait until it reaches the stage of public hearing to see if it intends to gag bloggers, but I hadn’t seen that.”

Source: Channels TV