BY ABEL JOHNGOLD
In a groundbreaking move to safeguard Nigeria’s digital economy and ensure fair contributions from global tech giants, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has explained why he introduced a bill to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023 (SB 650, 2025).
The proposed legislation seeks to compel social media platforms and digital businesses to establish physical offices in Nigeria, guaranteeing they pay taxes, create jobs, and comply with Nigerian laws.
Senator Nwoko, renowned for his advocacy for economic and social justice, declared that the bill is long overdue. According to him, global tech companies have long operated freely in Nigeria, making substantial profits without facing the requisite accountability.
“For too long, big tech companies have extracted billions from Nigeria’s digital space without meaningfully contributing to its economy,” Nwoko remarked. “Without a physical presence, these companies avoid taxation, limit job creation, and offer no local avenue for legal redress. This bill seeks to correct those injustices.”
1. Repatriation Through Taxation
Nigeria loses an estimated $10 billion annually in tax revenue as these companies refuse to establish offices within the country. Over the past decade, the nation has missed out on more than $50 billion in potential tax revenue. The bill aims to compel tech platforms to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and pay their fair share of taxes, ensuring that Nigerian funds are reinvested into the local economy.
2. Massive Job Creation for Nigerian Youths
With millions of skilled young Nigerians seeking employment, the bill proposes that tech companies set up offices and hire locally. This could result in over 200,000 direct jobs across customer service, content moderation, cybersecurity, and tech development, providing opportunities for youth and stimulating economic growth.
3. Technology Transfer & Compliance with Nigerian Standards
The establishment of local offices would also enforce adherence to Nigeria’s data protection and cybersecurity laws, while encouraging knowledge transfer. By working directly with Nigerian talents, these companies would help build the country’s tech ecosystem and bring valuable global expertise to local industries.
4. Accountability & Legal Redress
Currently, Nigerians facing online harassment, defamation, or data breaches have no direct recourse against these tech platforms. This bill ensures that digital companies legally register in Nigeria, making it easier for citizens to hold them accountable.
Senator Nwoko pointed out that countries like France, Ireland, and the UK have already implemented similar laws, forcing tech giants to comply with regulations, pay taxes, and create local jobs. Some nations have even gone so far as to ban non-compliant platforms.
“If they can do it, why not Nigeria? Are we less of a nation?” Senator Nwoko questioned, emphasizing that this is not about stifling business, but about ensuring fairness and economic justice.
The bill, championed by Senator Ned Nwoko, is simple: if tech companies want to do business in Nigeria, they must register in Nigeria, pay taxes in Nigeria, and create jobs for Nigerians.
With this bill, Nigeria is ready to reclaim control over its digital space. Under Senator Ned Nwoko’s leadership, the era of unchecked exploitation by global tech companies is drawing to a close.
