Bill Mandates Social Media Companies to Establish Offices in Nigeria
A bill requiring social media companies to open offices in Nigeria has passed its second reading in the Senate. Senator Ned Nwoko sponsors the bill, citing Nigeria’s significant digital engagement. The legislation addresses issues such as local representation and economic opportunities tied to the lack of physical offices, and it mandates that bloggers must also establish a verifiable office within the country.
A new bill advocating for social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate. Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta), the legislation aims to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to require social media platforms to set up offices within the country.
During his presentation, Senator Nwoko highlighted Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous nation and a leader in digital engagement. With over 220 million citizens, social media plays a significant role in daily life, with Nigerians averaging three hours and 46 minutes online daily, according to data from Global Web Index and Business Insider Africa.
The senator pointed out that the absence of local offices for these social media companies leads to significant challenges, including reduced local representation and missed economic opportunities. He emphasized that the bill would also require bloggers in Nigeria to establish verifiable offices in any of the nation’s capital cities, thus promoting local engagement and accountability in digital spaces.
In summary, the newly proposed bill seeks to compel social media platforms to create physical offices in Nigeria, addressing issues of local representation and economic opportunities. With the robust online activity of Nigerians, establishing a presence in the country is deemed essential for these companies. Additionally, the bill extends its requirements to bloggers, further promoting accountability in the digital realm.
Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm
