Senator Ned Nwoko argues that social media platforms like TikTok and X could create 200,000 jobs in Nigeria if they establish physical offices. He advocates for a bill to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, mandating these companies to comply with local regulations and tax laws. The bill would also include measures to regulate bloggers and digital content creators.
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, claims that social media platforms like TikTok and X could create approximately 200,000 jobs for Nigerian youths by establishing physical offices in Nigeria. Nwoko stated this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), defending his proposal to amend the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, which he argues has been overdue due to the lack of accountability from tech companies operating in Nigeria.
He emphasized the potential for job creation in roles such as customer service, tech support, and content moderation, remarking that these companies employ workers in other nations while ignoring Nigeria’s talent pool. Nwoko advocates for the initiative, expressing the need for countries like Nigeria, which contributes to these platforms’ profits, to gain control over their digital landscapes.
The primary objective of the proposed bill is to require social media businesses to establish tangible offices in Nigeria. Nwoko clarified that his bill is not anti-business; instead, it aims to promote accountability and ensure these platforms contribute to local economies through taxes and employment. He cited examples of European countries successfully implementing such requirements, questioning why Nigeria has not followed suit.
Nwoko elaborated that tax repatriation is another critical aspect of the proposal, which aims to ensure that any foreign business operating in Nigeria registers and pays taxes within the country. He highlighted the significant annual tax losses Nigeria incurs from these companies due to their lack of physical presence, estimating losses of over $50 billion in the last decade.
Additionally, the bill seeks to regulate bloggers and digital content creators by requiring them to possess verified addresses for accountability. Nwoko suggested that bloggers should join recognized media unions to enhance professional standards, similar to other professions. He stressed the importance of tax compliance among bloggers as outlined in new tax regulations.
Notably, Nigeria previously compelled Twitter to set up an office as a condition for lifting its ban in 2021, which the platform did not comply with until after its acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022. Currently, Meta is the only major social media firm with a physical location in Nigeria, although it has recently downsized its Lagos operations amid staff reductions.
Senator Ned Nwoko’s proposal emphasizes the need for social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria to facilitate job creation and tax compliance. The bill aims to regulate not only these platforms but also bloggers, ensuring accountability and a fair share of tax contributions to the Nigerian economy. As Nigeria seeks to enhance its digital landscape, this initiative could potentially reclaim significant lost tax revenue and support local employment.
Original Source: nairametrics.com
