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ABUJA, Nigeria - The Senate on Tuesday approved for a second reading a Bill that required social media platforms in Nigeria to establish physical offices and mandating the registration and regulation of bloggers in the country.
This marks the Senate's second attempt to impose regulations on social media; the first effort during the ninth Senate collapsed following significant backlash and concerns from stakeholders who viewed it as a means to curb media freedom and infringe upon Section 39 of the Constitution, which upholds the right to free expression.
This section states: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.” The Bill proposes, among other things, that “bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to ensure professionalism, transparency, and accountability in their operations.”
According to the bill's sponsor, Senator Ned Nwoko (APC – Delta North), the legislation titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, LFN, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms, and for Related Matters, 2024,” aims to address a significant gap in the engagement of multinational social media firms with Nigeria.
In his introductory remarks, Nwoko emphasized that the bill pertains to a “matter of national significance that touches on Nigeria's sovereignty, economy, and technological progress.” He mentioned that the Bill was introduced for the first time on Thursday, November 21, 2024. He pointed out that Nigeria not only is the most populated nation in Africa but also stands out for its vibrant digital engagement.
With a population exceeding 220 million, social media plays a crucial role in the daily lives of Nigerians. According to the Global Web Index as reported by Business Insider Africa, Nigerians lead in Africa and rank second globally for daily social media usage, averaging 3 hours and 46 minutes online. Platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat have become essential to the lives of millions.
These platforms serve not merely as communication tools but as ecosystems that affect political discourse, shape public perception, foster entrepreneurship, and offer educational and entertainment opportunities. Nwoko highlighted that despite the vast user base and the economic contributions from Nigerian users, “these multinational entities lack physical representation in Nigeria.”
He contrasted this situation with their operations in other nations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Singapore, and Australia, where they maintain offices to manage regional issues, formulate content policies, and cultivate partnerships.
He expressed concern that the absence of physical offices for these social media giants in Nigeria poses significant challenges, including limited local representation, lost economic prospects, and complications in addressing grievances. He noted, “The lack of a local presence causes a disconnect between the platforms and their Nigerian user base. Resolving user complaints, tackling regulatory issues, or managing content moderation challenges specific to Nigeria can be prolonged due to the geographic and cultural gap.”
He added that the absence of physical offices has robbed Nigeria of numerous opportunities. Economically, it limits job creation potential in areas like customer support, content moderation, legal compliance, and marketing, suggesting that there could be thousands of young Nigerians employed by these companies, gaining essential skills and contributing to the economy.
“Technology transfer is another aspect where Nigeria could significantly benefit. Countries like China and South Korea have emerged as leaders in electronics and automobile manufacturing by nurturing local partnerships with international firms and adapting their technologies. If these social media giants establish a local presence, Nigerian engineers, developers, and tech experts will have the chance to learn from some of the foremost talents in the world and apply cutting-edge technologies."
Nwoko further expressed concern about the legal ramifications of their absence. “Without physical offices in Nigeria, enforcing data protection laws, resolving disputes, and protecting user rights becomes a complicated task. This Bill aims to streamline this process by ensuring that these platforms have a physical presence to cater to the unique demands of their Nigerian users and adhere to our regulations.”
He cited the successful cases of multinational corporations that have set up operations in Nigeria as a model. “Companies like MTN, Shell, Chevron, Nestlé, and Total have not only prospered in our market but have also enhanced our workforce through job creation, training, and partnerships,” he declared.
“Thus, this Bill is not a punitive measure against these platforms. It is a call for fairness and recognition of Nigeria’s standing as a leader in digital engagement.”
He added that in support of creating a structured and accountable digital environment, this Bill mandates all bloggers operating in Nigeria to set up a verifiable office in any of the capital cities across the country. They are required to maintain proper employee records and be affiliated with a recognized national bloggers’ association based in Abuja. “We cannot allow a scenario where individuals operate without any accountability, disseminating information, sometimes inaccurate without any formal structure.”
“Just like traditional media outlets, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated to guarantee professionalism, transparency, and responsibility in their activities.” Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, remarked on the importance of ensuring that the objectives of the Bill are not misconstrued as an attempt to suppress the media in Nigeria.
He expressed hope that stakeholders would thoroughly analyze the provisions of the Bill during public hearings to ensure that its content does not infringe upon freedom of expression and media rights in the country.
