The Senate has passed for the second reading a bill for social media platforms; TikTok, Meta, X and others, to establish physical offices within the country.

The bill, which seeks to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District.

“This bill is not an attack on these platforms; it is a call for equity and fairness,” Mr Nwoko said during plenary on Tuesday. “It is also a demand for respect and recognition of Nigeria’s status as a global leader in digital engagement.”

The lawmaker emphasised Nigeria’s overwhelming digital presence globally, citing Global Web Index report as referenced by Business Insider Africa.

Mr Nwoko identified limited local representation, economic losses and difficulties in legal and data protection compliance as challenges arising from lack of physical offices for these platforms, adding that the bill would promote accountability, transparency and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital media space.

The lawmaker stated, “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. They must keep proper records of employees and belong to a recognized national body which shall have headquarters 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.’’

Speaking on the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that it was not an attempt to silence social media platforms, acknowledging the bill’s potential benefits for social media platforms and bloggers.

“I don’t want the world to misunderstand us as if the Senate is trying to gag the social media. That is not the intention here. The intention is for tax purposes and to have a register of operators,” Mr Akpabio stated.