Nigeria’s Senate has on Thursday passed its first reading of a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko representing Delta North, that seeks to mandate social media platforms, data controllers, and data processors operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices within the country.
According to the Senator, it is important for the social platforms who are operating freely in Nigeria’s space to have a physical office in the country.
The Bill is 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”.
The Bill proposes an addition to Section 5 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, inserting a new Article P, which empowers the Data Protection Commission to require social media platforms and other data processors to establish physical offices in Nigeria.
It further stipulates that failure to comply would result in the prohibition of such entities from operating in the country. The Bill also seeks to alter Section 65 by introducing new definitions, including “Data Controllers,” “Data Processors,” and “Operators of Social Media Platforms,” among others, to provide clarity and ensure compliance with the law.
Speaking with Journalists afterwards, Nwoko highlighted the benefits of the bill which he said addresses critical issues stemming from the absence of local offices for social media platforms. They include the lack of local representation, delays in resolving user complaints, and the challenges regulators face in enforcing Nigerian laws.
He also pointed out the economic benefits of the proposed amendment, including job creation, improved content moderation, faster resolution of disputes, and enhanced trust between stakeholders and platform operators.
Senator Ned Nwoko stressed the urgency of “ensuring that social media platforms operating within Nigeria adhere to global best practices while respecting local laws and cultural sensitivities”.
These practices are similar to those in the UK and other foreign countries which Nigeria should emulate.
