Senator Ned Nwoko asserts that platforms like TikTok and X could generate 200,000 jobs in Nigeria if required to open offices. He emphasizes the necessity of accountability from tech companies and the need to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act to ensure compliance with local regulations, tax contributions, and better job opportunities for youths.
Ned Nwoko, a Senator for Delta North, highlighted that social media platforms such as TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) could potentially generate 200,000 jobs for Nigerian youths if mandated to open physical offices in the country. He expressed these views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), emphasizing the need for accountability from big tech companies operating in Nigeria without regulation.
Nwoko indicated that the proposed Bill to Amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, aims to require social media companies to establish local offices to enhance Nigeria’s control over its digital environment. He argued that while these companies profit significantly from the Nigerian market, they do not contribute adequately through taxation or job creation.
The Senator underscored that this bill is intended to ensure that businesses operating in Nigeria adhere to local regulations, thereby ensuring they register and pay taxes. He noted the financial losses Nigeria incurs due to the absence of these offices, estimating at least 10 billion dollars annually is lost due to non-compliance with tax obligations by social media firms.
Moreover, Nwoko revealed plans within the bill to regulate bloggers and digital content creators, mandating each blogger to maintain a verifiable address and join a recognized media body. This regulation would hold bloggers accountable and ensure they comply with tax requirements, akin to other professional sectors in Nigeria.
Historically, Nigeria had previously mandated Twitter to establish a local office in 2021 as a condition for lifting a ban on the platform. However, compliance was delayed until after the company transitioned to X under Elon Musk’s ownership. Currently, Meta is the sole social media firm with a physical presence in Nigeria, although recent reductions have affected its operational scale in Lagos.
In summary, Senator Ned Nwoko advocates for a regulatory framework that would compel social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, which could create substantial employment opportunities and increase tax revenue. The proposed bill aims to reinforce local accountability, regulate bloggers, and ensure that companies contribute fairly to the Nigerian economy. It addresses critical issues of job creation and financial losses resulting from the current operational practices of major tech companies in Nigeria.
Original Source: nairametrics.com
