The Senate has advanced efforts to compel global social media companies operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country, following overwhelming support from stakeholders at a public hearing held in Abuja on Thursday.
The hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security, also endorsed a separate bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The proposed legislation on social media platforms, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media companies operating in Nigeria to maintain physical offices within the country’s territorial boundaries.
The AI Academy bill, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), aims to create a centre for artificial intelligence education, research and innovation.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), said both bills are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and accelerate technological development.
According to him, the social media bill is intended to improve regulation, accountability and protection within Nigeria’s cyberspace, while the AI Academy would position the country as a hub for AI research and innovation.
Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South) described the two bills as forward-looking and of national importance.
Ashiru said the proposal requiring social media companies to establish local offices was not aimed at restricting their operations but at promoting greater accountability and stronger engagement with Nigeria.
Defending the bill, Senator Nwoko rejected claims that the legislation would discourage investment or target technology firms.
“This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria. Rather, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country,” he said.
Nwoko argued that countries such as the United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia and Japan have successfully attracted global technology companies to establish regional offices and operational hubs.
He noted that such offices support engineering, artificial intelligence research, regulatory compliance, customer support, advertising, cloud services, public policy and product development while creating jobs, boosting tax revenues, encouraging innovation and facilitating technology transfer.
Using Ireland as an example, the lawmaker said the presence of companies including Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X had transformed the country into one of Europe’s leading technology hubs through increased investment, innovation and employment.
He maintained that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, should benefit from similar investments and opportunities.
The Senate Committee is expected to review memoranda submitted by stakeholders before presenting its report to the Senate for further legislative consideration.
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