Nigeria Needs Stronger Digital Accountability, Stakeholders Tell Senate At Hearing

Stakeholders on Thursday backed the Senate’s proposed legislation requiring social media platforms operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices within the country, arguing that the move would strengthen digital accountability, regulatory engagement and data protection.

The endorsement came during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security on a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) that seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 to mandate social media platforms to establish physical offices within Nigeria’s territorial boundaries.

The bill is titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms and for Related Matters.”

Stakeholders also supported another bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South).

Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central), said the two bills were aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

According to him, while the social media platforms bill focuses on protecting Nigeria’s cyberspace and improving accountability, the AI Academy bill seeks to establish a centre of excellence for artificial intelligence education and research.

“The first bill primarily seeks the protection of our cyberspace, while the second seeks to provide a centre of excellence in Artificial Intelligence education and research,” Salisu said.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), described the two bills as “forward-looking and nationally significant legislative proposals.”

Akpabio said the proposals reflected the Senate’s commitment to improved lawmaking and good governance.

He assured that the proposed requirement for social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria was not intended to restrict their operations.

Senator Nwoko, while defending the bill, said the proposal was neither punitive nor hostile to innovation.

“This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria,” he said.

“On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country.”

The lawmaker argued that several countries with smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria had successfully attracted technology companies by encouraging them to establish local operations.

He cited countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, and Japan as examples of countries where major technology firms maintain offices and operational centres.

According to him, such offices support activities ranging from engineering and artificial intelligence research to legal and regulatory compliance, public policy, advertising, trust and safety, customer support and product development.

“These countries did not attract such investments by accident. They recognised early that the digital economy is now as important as the traditional economy,” Nwoko said.

He added that the presence of technology companies had helped create employment opportunities, expand tax revenues, strengthen regulatory engagement, promote innovation and encourage technology transfer.

“Why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines? Why should Africa’s largest digital market not enjoy the same opportunities?” he asked.

Stakeholders at the hearing said establishing physical offices for social media platforms would improve communication between regulators and technology companies, while providing better mechanisms to address concerns about data protection, misinformation, online safety, and digital accountability.

They also endorsed the proposed Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, describing it as a timely initiative that would support research, develop local talent and position Nigeria to participate effectively in the global AI economy.

The Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security is expected to review stakeholder submissions and make recommendations for further legislative consideration.