A bill seeking to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 to require social media platforms to establish physical offices within Nigeria has passed its second reading in the Senate.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the bill—titled A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, 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, 2025 (SB. 650)—has been referred to the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, with a two-month deadline for review.
Senator Nwoko argued that despite Nigeria’s massive digital presence—ranked as Africa’s largest and the world’s second-largest user of social media—major platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat lack physical offices in the country. He cited economic losses, enforcement challenges, and weak local representation as key concerns.
Additionally, the bill introduces new regulations for bloggers in Nigeria, requiring them to establish verifiable offices in any state capital, maintain proper employee records, and join a recognized national association headquartered in Abuja.
Nwoko emphasized that the bill aims to promote accountability, transparency, and professionalism in Nigeria’s digital space, aligning bloggers with the standards of traditional media houses. He clarified that the legislation is not intended to suppress social media but to ensure digital platforms comply with Nigerian regulations.
