The Nigerian Senate has thrown its weight behind a proposed legislation that would compel major social media companies to set up physical offices within the country. Under the bill, global platforms including Facebook, TikTok, X, and others would be required to maintain a registered presence in Nigeria.
Lawmakers say the move is designed to improve accountability and ensure that operators of large digital platforms are directly reachable within the country’s jurisdiction.Proponents of the bill argue that having local offices will make it easier to address issues such as content moderation, data protection, tax compliance, and responses to government requests.
They note that a physical presence would also create jobs and deepen the platforms’ engagement with Nigerian users and regulators.The Senate’s support signals growing concern over the influence of social media on public discourse, security, and commerce in Nigeria. Legislators emphasized that with millions of Nigerians active online daily, tech companies must be subject to the same regulatory oversight as other businesses operating locally.
The bill will now proceed to further legislative stages, including committee review and public hearings, before it can become law. If passed, it would mark a significant shift in how Nigeria regulates international technology firms.
