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Senate Advances Bill to Regulate Social Media and Bloggers in Nigeria

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1 month ago

Mar 19, 2025.

The bill has passed its second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security for further deliberation and a public hearing, with a report expected within two months.
Bloggers would be required to maintain a verifiable office in any Nigerian capital city, belong to a recognized national association headquartered in Abuja, and keep clear records and data of their employees.
Another concern raised is the non-enforcement of data protection laws and the difficulty in resolving disputes due to the absence of a verifiable local presence.

The Nigerian Senate is currently considering a bill that would require social media platforms and bloggers to establish physical offices within the country, as part of an effort to increase oversight and regulation of online activity.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the proposed legislation aims to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023 and recently passed its second reading in the Senate.

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In addition to mandating the creation of local offices, the bill proposes a mandatory registration system for bloggers operating in Nigeria.

Under this system, bloggers would be required to maintain a verifiable office in any Nigerian capital city, belong to a recognized national association headquartered in Abuja, and keep clear records and data of their employees.

Senate Advances Bill to Regulate Social Media and Bloggers in Nigeria

The proposed legislation, titled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend 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 (SB. 648)” was sponsored by Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North) and seconded by Eze Kenneth (Ebonyi Central).

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill at plenary, Nwoko said: “We cannot continue to have a situation where individuals operate anonymously, spreading information—sometimes false—without any accountability. Just like traditional media houses, bloggers must be properly registered and regulated.”

He argued that the absence of local offices for major social media companies hinders effective regulation, economic benefits, and legal redress for Nigerian users.

“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and one of the most active in digital engagement. Social media has become an essential part of our politics, economy, and society. It is only fair that these multinational companies establish a physical presence here.”

According to Senator Nwoko, the lack of local offices has led to difficulties in addressing regulatory concerns, content moderation, and user complaints.

Additionally, it has resulted in missed economic opportunities for Nigeria, as potential jobs in customer service, content moderation, and legal compliance are outsourced to other countries.

Another concern raised is the non-enforcement of data protection laws and the difficulty in resolving disputes due to the absence of a verifiable local presence.

Senate Advances Bill to Regulate Social Media and Bloggers in Nigeria

Senator Nwoko compared social media companies to multinational corporations such as MTN, Shell, Chevron, and Nestlé, which have established offices in Nigeria, creating jobs and supporting the economy.

The bill has passed its second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Security for further deliberation and a public hearing, with a report expected within two months.

Commenting on the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that the intention is not to gag social media but rather to ensure that digital businesses contribute to Nigeria’s economy through taxation and local job creation.