Nigeria’s ambition to secure more jobs, technology investment and stronger participation in the global digital economy took centre stage on Thursday as the Senate received widespread backing for a proposal that would require international social media companies operating in the country to establish physical offices within Nigeria. The proposal was discussed during a public hearing in Abuja organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, by making it mandatory for social media platforms serving Nigerian users to maintain offices within the country’s territorial boundaries. At the same hearing, stakeholders also expressed support for a separate bill sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, as part of efforts to strengthen technological innovation.
Opening the session, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Salisu, said both proposals are designed to advance Nigeria’s digital economy. According to him, while one bill focuses on improving regulation and oversight of the country’s cyberspace, the AI Academy is expected to become a centre for education, research and innovation in artificial intelligence.
Speaking on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru said the proposed legislation is intended to encourage stronger corporate engagement with Nigeria rather than create obstacles for technology companies. He said the objective is to promote greater accountability while expanding the contribution of global digital firms to the country’s economy.
Defending the proposal, Senator Nwoko said the bill is not aimed at discouraging investment but at ensuring Nigeria benefits more directly from its position as Africa’s largest digital market. He argued that countries including the United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Brazil have attracted global technology firms by creating an environment that supports local operations, employment, regulatory cooperation and innovation.
The lawmaker noted that physical offices often support engineering, customer service, public policy, legal compliance, research, artificial intelligence development and product innovation. According to him, such investments have helped other countries generate employment opportunities, increase tax revenues and encourage technology transfer, adding that Nigeria should be positioned to enjoy similar economic gains.
Following Thursday’s public hearing in Abuja, the Senate committee is expected to review memoranda submitted by stakeholders before presenting its recommendations to the Senate for further legislative consideration. If eventually passed and signed into law, supporters believe the measures could reshape Nigeria’s digital landscape by encouraging deeper investment from global technology companies while strengthening the country’s capacity in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
