Nigerian Senate Proposes Bill for Social Media Offices in Nigeria

The Nigerian Senate has proposed a bill mandating social media platforms to establish physical offices in the country, citing Nigeria’s significant social media usage. Senator Ned Nwoko supports the bill, emphasizing local representation and the platform’s influence on society. The President of the Senate assured that the bill does not infringe on freedom of expression.

The Nigerian Senate has proposed a bill requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria. This legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2003,” was initiated by Senator Ned Nwoko from Delta-North. He highlighted Nigeria’s significant social media presence, being the leading user in Africa and second globally, according to a Global Web Index report by Business Insider Africa.

Senator Nwoko emphasized that with approximately 220 million citizens, Nigerians dedicate an average of three hours and forty-six minutes online daily. He recognized platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat as essential components of communication and social interaction, impacting everything from politics to entrepreneurship.

Despite high engagement levels, Nwoko noted the absence of physical offices from these platforms within Nigeria, contrasting this with their presence in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. He pointed out the consequences of this absence, including limited local representation and economic opportunities, as well as challenges in obtaining redress for users.

The proposed bill is not an attack on social media but a demand for acknowledgment of Nigeria’s prominence in digital engagement. Additionally, it mandates bloggers to have registered offices for taxation and accountability purposes. The bill successfully moved past its second reading without opposition from any Senator.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that the bill does not seek to restrict free expression on social media. He reassured that bloggers are not required to have traditional physical offices, as they can operate from any convenient location, emphasizing that “this is not a bill to prevent freedom of expression.”

The Nigerian Senate’s bill requiring social media platforms to open physical offices aims to recognize Nigeria’s role as a leading global hub of digital engagement. The legislation underscores the importance of local representation and accountability for users, while also ensuring freedom of expression is protected. The consensus among Senators reflects an acknowledgment of the potential economic benefits and the need for improved support mechanisms for Nigerian users.

Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com