By Abel Johngold
In a landmark move to protect 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 aims to compel social media platforms and digital businesses to establish physical offices in Nigeria, ensuring they pay taxes, create jobs, and comply with Nigerian laws.
Senator Nwoko, known for his strong advocacy for economic and social justice, declared that the bill is long overdue.
According to him, for too long, big tech companies have operated freely in Nigeria, profiting massively while evading accountability.
For years, global tech companies have extracted billions from Nigeria’s digital space without contributing meaningfully to its economy.
Without a physical presence, these companies evade taxation, limit job creation, and provide no local avenue for legal redress. Senator Nwoko’s bill seeks to correct these injustices.
- Repatriation Through Taxation
Nigeria loses an estimated $10 billion annually in tax revenue because these companies refuse to establish offices in Nigeria.
Over the last decade, the country has forfeited over $50 billion in potential revenue.
The bill is aimed at mandating these platforms to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and pay their fair share of taxes, ensuring that Nigerian funds are reinvested into the economy.
- Massive Job Creation for Nigerian Youths
With millions of talented young Nigerians seeking employment, the bill proposes that tech companies set up offices and hire Nigerians.
This could generate over 200,000 direct jobs in customer service, content moderation, cybersecurity, and tech development—empowering the youth and driving economic growth.
- Technology Transfer & Compliance with Nigerian Standards
A local presence would enforce adherence to Nigeria’s data protection and cybersecurity laws while fostering knowledge transfer.
By working directly with Nigerian talents, these companies would help develop the country’s tech ecosystem, bringing global expertise to local industries.
- Accountability & Legal Redress
Nigerians facing online harassment, defamation, or data breaches currently have no direct recourse against these platforms. This bill ensures that digital companies register legally in Nigeria so that citizens know where to find them and can hold them accountable.
Senator Ned Nwoko pointed out that countries like France, Ireland, and the UK have already implemented similar laws, forcing tech giants to comply, pay taxes, and create jobs for their citizens.
Some nations have even banned non-compliant platforms until they adhere to local regulations.
“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 clear: If you want to do business in Nigeria, you must register in Nigeria, pay taxes in Nigeria, and create jobs for Nigerians.
It’s time for Nigeria to take control of its digital space. With Senator Ned Nwoko leading the charge, the era of unchecked exploitation by big tech is coming to an end
