Senator Ned Munir Nwoko’s address at the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security public hearing on SB. 648 is a clear, assertive statement of intent.
“Today, we are not considering an ordinary Bill,” he declared. “We are considering the future of Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, economic interests, national security and the rights of over two hundred million Nigerians who interact daily with some of the world’s largest technology companies.”
Nigeria, he argues, can no longer remain a passive data mine and revenue source for global platforms while those same companies maintain no meaningful physical presence.
“Nigeria is not a small market. We are Africa’s largest digital population and one of the biggest users of social media anywhere in the world,” Nwoko noted. “
Yet, despite the enormous value Nigeria contributes to these global platforms, they continue to operate in our airspace without maintaining a meaningful physical presence here.”
The proposed amendments to the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 would require social media platforms, data controllers and processors “carrying on business in Nigeria airspace to establish and maintain functional physical offices within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The diagnosis is accurate and overdue. Enormous volumes of personal data and commercial value are generated here daily. Many major platforms have historically operated with minimal local footprint.
Countries with smaller populations have successfully attracted engineering, policy, trust-and-safety and commercial hubs.
Nwoko rightly observed that Ireland has become a major technology hub because companies such as Meta, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok and X maintain significant operations there, employing thousands and contributing to the economy.
“If countries with significantly smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria have secured these investments and benefits,” he asked, “why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines?”
Local presence improves response times to lawful requests, creates skilled jobs, facilitates tax administration and supports capacity-building.
The examples of MTN and MultiChoice illustrate the broader economic multipliers that accompany genuine on-the-ground investment.
“Had these companies elected to service the Nigerian market entirely from outside the country,” Nwoko reminded the hearing, “Nigeria would have lost thousands of jobs, substantial tax revenue, local investment and numerous business opportunities.”
The security illustrations carry particular weight. Nwoko cited “the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State,” where reports indicated kidnappers used TikTok Live to communicate publicly, alongside cases of suspected armed bandits livestreaming ransom proceeds.
Nigerian authorities subsequently sought engagement with the platform, “illustrating the need for faster and more effective local cooperation.” Strengthening institutional channels is a legitimate and urgent public-interest objective.
Nwoko insisted: “This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria. On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country.”
The objectives—stronger national security cooperation, better data protection accountability, improved regulatory compliance, enhanced tax transparency, job creation and technology transfer—align directly with Nigeria’s long-term interests.
“There is no well-meaning Nigerian who desires the growth, security and prosperity of this country that should oppose the objectives of this Bill,” Nwoko asserted.
The democratic process point is well taken. Public hearings allow stakeholders to refine the details of scope, timelines and proportionality.
That refinement should strengthen, not dilute, the core principle: that Africa’s largest digital market deserves the same local presence, accountability and economic participation that other nations have long secured.
Senator Nwoko is right that Nigeria should not remain on the sidelines of the digital economy it helps power. “The truth is that this conversation is long overdue,” he said.
Asserting sovereignty over data and economic value generated within its borders is both legitimate and necessary.
SB. 648 offers a practical pathway to convert Nigeria’s digital scale into lasting national advantage.
-Pamela. O
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