A bill requiring social media platforms, bloggers, and data processors to set up physical offices in Nigeria has passed its second reading in the Senate.
The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Alter the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, LFN," is sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) and aims to strengthen data security while boosting economic growth.
If enacted, the law will compel all data controllers, processors, and social media operators, including Facebook and bloggers—to establish offices within Nigeria.
Non-compliance beyond 30 days could lead to a ban on operations. Nwoko emphasized that these offices must be fully staffed and authorized to engage with regulators and stakeholders.
Read also:
The bill also proposes amending Section 65 of the Principal Act to clarify key definitions and reinforce compliance with data protection laws.
This aligns with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, and supports ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to secure digital data.
NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji revealed that three banks had already been fined for data breaches, with nine other organizations under investigation.
Reports indicate that Nigeria recorded 83,000 data breaches in Q1 2023, a 64% increase from the previous quarter.
As the bill advances, stakeholders are assessing its potential impact on digital operations, regulatory compliance, and investment in Nigeria.
