HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has opposed a bill seeking to compel major global social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria.

The rights advocacy group urged the National Assembly to discard the proposed legislation, warning that it could become a tool for censorship and undermine citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, despite being presented as a measure to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and improve corporate accountability.

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

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, has already passed second reading in the Senate and is before the committee for further legislative consideration.

HURIWA said it carefully reviewed the proposed legislation and concluded that compelling global technology companies to establish offices in Nigeria was unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.

The organisation argued that while the firms generate substantial revenue from Nigeria’s vast digital market, they already engage Nigerians through existing structures, including paying eligible content creators, working with local technology professionals and participating in legal proceedings whenever required.

According to the group, appointing local representatives where necessary would adequately address concerns about engagement with regulators and users without forcing the companies to maintain physical offices.

It also dismissed claims that mandatory country offices would significantly improve consumer complaint resolution, technology transfer or employment generation.

HURIWA maintained that the platforms already have effective feedback mechanisms for resolving users’ complaints and routinely appear before Nigerian courts through their representatives whenever litigation arises.

The group, however, said its greatest concern was the potential for the proposed law to be used as an instrument for restricting freedom of expression.

It argued that establishing local offices could expose global social media companies to pressure from government authorities to remove online content considered critical of those in power.

“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,” HURIWA said.

The organisation added: “HURIWA does not support censorship in any form. Freedom of expression remains one of the cornerstones of constitutional democracy and is guaranteed under Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as under international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

According to the rights group, the presence of social media companies in Nigeria could become an avenue for authorities to pressure them into abandoning internationally recognised digital rights standards in favour of politically motivated content moderation.

It recalled previous attempts to regulate social media in Nigeria that generated widespread concerns over possible restrictions on free speech, stressing that any legislation affecting the digital space must contain clear safeguards against abuse.

The organisation warned that the proposed law should never become*”a backdoor mechanism for government surveillance, arbitrary content removal or political censorship.”

HURIWA called on members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, media practitioners, technology experts, digital rights advocates and representatives of the affected technology companies to actively participate in the legislative process to ensure that any eventual law reflects global best practices while protecting Nigerians’ fundamental rights.

The group insisted that the current bill should be withdrawn, maintaining that its stated objectives could be achieved without imposing mandatory physical office requirements on global social media platforms.