The Senate has advanced a bill seeking to require global social media companies, including Facebook, TikTok and other major digital platforms, to establish physical offices in Nigeria.
The proposal received widespread support from stakeholders during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security in Abuja on Thursday.
Lawmakers also considered a separate bill proposing the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, aimed at promoting AI education, research and innovation.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), the social media bill seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, making it mandatory for social media companies operating in Nigeria to maintain physical offices within the country.
The AI Academy bill is sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, said both bills are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, improve technology development and enhance cybersecurity.
Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru described the proposals as forward-looking initiatives that would promote national development.
Defending the bill, Senator Nwoko said the legislation is not intended to discourage investment or hinder innovation but to encourage global technology companies to deepen their commitment to Nigeria.
He argued that countries such as the United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Brazil have successfully attracted global technology firms to establish local offices, creating jobs, boosting tax revenues, promoting innovation and strengthening regulatory engagement.
According to him, Nigeria, as Africa’s largest digital market, should also benefit from local operations by global technology companies through increased employment opportunities, technology transfer, customer support, engineering, artificial intelligence research and stronger collaboration with regulators.
The Senate Committee is expected to review memoranda submitted by stakeholders before presenting its report for further legislative consideration.
