HURIWA Rejects Bill Mandating Social Media Firms to Open Nigeria Offices

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has kicked against a bill before the National Assembly seeking to compel major global social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria, warning that the proposed legislation could threaten free speech.

The group urged lawmakers to withdraw the bill, arguing that although it is being promoted as a measure to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and improve corporate accountability, it could create an avenue for censorship and political interference in online expression.

HURIWA’s position was contained in a presentation submitted on Thursday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, has passed second reading in the Senate and is awaiting further legislative scrutiny.

In its submission, HURIWA argued that forcing multinational social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria would add little value, insisting that the companies already maintain functional relationships with Nigerian users, content creators, regulators and the judicial system.

The organisation noted that the platforms currently engage local technology professionals, remunerate eligible Nigerian content creators and respond to legal proceedings through their representatives whenever disputes arise.

It maintained that appointing designated representatives in Nigeria, rather than setting up full country offices, would sufficiently address regulatory concerns.

HURIWA also faulted claims that mandatory local offices would improve complaint resolution, encourage technology transfer or create significant employment opportunities, saying existing customer support channels and legal processes already perform those functions.

The rights group, however, said its greatest objection to the bill was the possibility that it could be used to erode constitutional protections for freedom of expression.

According to HURIWA, requiring social media companies to maintain offices in Nigeria could expose them to pressure from public authorities to remove content critical of government officials or public institutions.

It said: “We categorically reject any provision; whether express or implied that could be interpreted or manipulated to empower any government or public institution to censor lawful online content, intimidate citizens, suppress dissenting opinions or restrict legitimate criticism of public officials.”

The organisation added that freedom of expression remains a fundamental pillar of democracy and is protected by Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

HURIWA further warned that the physical presence of global technology firms should not become a basis for compelling them to depart from internationally recognised digital rights standards or submit to politically motivated content moderation.

The group recalled previous attempts to regulate social media in Nigeria that generated widespread public concern over possible restrictions on free speech, stressing that any law governing the digital space must contain adequate safeguards against abuse.

It also cautioned that the proposed legislation should never become “a backdoor mechanism for government surveillance, arbitrary content removal or political censorship.”

HURIWA called on lawmakers, civil society organisations, media practitioners, technology experts, digital rights advocates and representatives of the affected technology companies to participate actively in the legislative process to ensure that any eventual law protects both Nigeria’s digital economy and the fundamental rights of citizens.

The organisation maintained that the bill should be dropped, insisting that its stated objectives could be achieved without making it compulsory for global social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria.