Senator Nwoko calls for Social Media regulation bill to establish platform offices in Nigeria

Senator representing Delta North and Chair of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko, has introduced a bill to regulate social media platforms in Nigeria, mirroring the controls present in developed nations. He emphasized that platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram should not be allowed to operate freely without oversight, which he argues has contributed to Nigeria’s international image challenges. Speaking at his Idumuje-Ugboko residence, Senator Nwoko pointed out that social media is regulated in countries such as the United States, the UK, Japan, and France, where platforms are required to have local offices, providing accountability within their legal jurisdictions. "Why should social media be regulated in Nigeria?” he asked, emphasizing, "It’s regulated in major countries worldwide. When these platforms establish offices here, they create jobs, promote technological transfer, and contribute to our economy through taxes. Currently, platforms like Facebook don’t pay taxes in Nigeria, yet they profit immensely from our population." He further outlined the benefits of this proposal, stating that having platform offices in Nigeria would simplify the process for addressing defamation and misinformation. “If someone publishes fake news on Facebook or X about me, I could pursue justice locally if they have offices here,” he explained. “Currently, it’s financially challenging to pursue legal action overseas, as Nigerian lawyers are not authorized to practice in American courts.” Senator Nwoko emphasized that the regulation would not only create thousands of jobs and generate substantial revenue through taxes but also enhance Nigeria’s technological landscape, encouraging digital growth. He additionally criticized the discrepancy in wages, where expatriate professionals are paid in foreign currencies while local professionals are paid in naira, calling for fair compensation practices that respect Nigeria's local currency.