The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards reshaping the nation's digital landscape with the passage of a bill through its second reading. The proposed legislation, 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),”* seeks to require global social media platforms and bloggers to establish verifiable physical offices within Nigeria.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, the bill aims to address challenges arising from the absence of local representation by multinational social media corporations such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and others. Senator Nwoko emphasized that Nigeria, as Africa's most populous nation with over 220 million people and a leading global presence in social media usage, deserves equitable representation and accountability from these platforms.
The legislation also proposes new regulations for bloggers operating within Nigeria, mandating them to maintain proper employee records, belong to a recognized national association headquartered in Abuja, and establish verifiable offices in any of the country's capital cities. These measures are designed to promote transparency, professionalism, and compliance with Nigerian laws.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio underscored the importance of the bill, stating, "This is not an attempt to stifle free speech but rather a framework to ensure accountability, appropriate taxation, and record-keeping for digital platforms operating in Nigeria." He further noted that the regulation of bloggers requires careful consideration to avoid unintended consequences.