Senate Moves to Coompel Google, Meta, Others to Own Offices in Nigeria
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) Nigeria’s Senate on Thursday, July 23, moved a step closer to compelling multinational technology companies, including Meta, X, TikTok, Google, YouTube and Snapchat, to establish physical offices in Nigeria following a public hearing on a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North).
The proposed legislation, considered on Thursday by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by making it mandatory for major social media platforms, data controllers and digital service providers operating in Nigeria to maintain operational offices in the country or face regulatory sanctions, including possible restrictions on their operations.
The bill is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, improving regulatory oversight, enhancing data protection, boosting tax compliance, creating jobs and improving cooperation between technology companies and Nigerian authorities on security and consumer protection.
Defending the bill during the public hearing, Senator Nwoko said Nigeria remains Africa’s largest digital market, yet many global technology firms generate substantial revenue from Nigerian users without maintaining a meaningful physical presence in the country.
He argued that the absence of local offices has made it difficult for regulators to enforce data protection laws, promptly resolve consumer complaints and engage effectively with technology companies during criminal investigations.
Under the proposed amendment, affected companies would be required to establish offices within Nigeria. Failure to comply within 30 days after the law comes into effect could attract sanctions, including a prohibition from conducting business in the country.
The bill also introduces new legal definitions for operators of social media platforms, physical offices, data controllers and data processors, while empowering the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to monitor and enforce compliance.
Declaring the public hearing open on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Deputy Senate Leader described the exercise as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital regulatory framework in line with global best practices.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, assured stakeholders that every memorandum and recommendation submitted during the hearing would be thoroughly considered before the committee presents its report to the Senate.
He said the committee approached the assignment with an open mind, stressing that public hearings remain critical to producing balanced legislation that promotes innovation while safeguarding Nigeria’s national interest.
Further defending the proposal, Senator Nwoko cited countries such as Ireland, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, where leading technology companies have established regional headquarters and operational offices, resulting in increased employment and stronger regulatory engagement.
According to him, compelling multinational technology firms to establish offices in Nigeria would create jobs in engineering, software development, cybersecurity, legal compliance, customer support, public policy and content moderation, while promoting technology transfer and collaboration with Nigerian startups and universities.
He also linked the proposal to national security, arguing that direct engagement with technology companies would improve cooperation with law enforcement agencies in tackling cybercrime, terrorism financing, kidnapping, online fraud and other digital offences.
Senator Nwoko dismissed concerns that the bill seeks to censor social media users, insisting that its objective is to strengthen corporate accountability rather than restrict freedom of expression.
The committee also received memoranda from government agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations, digital rights groups and other stakeholders, who presented divergent views on the proposed legislation before the hearing was adjourned for further review.
If passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the legislation would require multinational technology companies operating in Nigeria to establish permanent corporate offices in the country.
The move is expected to deepen regulatory oversight, strengthen consumer protection, improve tax accountability, enhance national security cooperation and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
