The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded that the National Assembly immediately withdraw the proposed Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, describing it as a disguised attempt to regulate social media and tighten government control over online expression.
In a strongly worded letter dated July 18, 2026, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, SERAP warned that it would file a lawsuit if the bill is passed in its current or substantially similar form.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), seeks to mandate social media platforms, data controllers, and data processors operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country.
It also grants the Nigeria Data Protection Commission powers to shut down or ban non-compliant entities within 30 days.
SERAP argued that such localisation requirements would increase government leverage over platforms, facilitate political pressure and censorship, and expose local staff to potential retaliation.
The group said the bill poses a serious threat to constitutionally and internationally protected rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
“The Bill would create sweeping powers capable of shutting down or excluding social media platforms from the Nigerian market and expose millions of Nigerians to serious violations of their rights,” the letter stated.
The organisation noted that the proposal revives earlier attempts by the same sponsor to regulate social media, which had previously faced widespread public opposition.
It further warned that the bill lacks adequate safeguards, such as prior judicial approval, and could indirectly achieve the same effects as the Twitter suspension previously condemned by the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
SERAP also highlighted potential economic drawbacks, arguing that mandatory physical offices would raise compliance costs for startups, tech companies, educational institutions, and AI developers, while undermining Nigeria’s digital economy goals under the Nigeria Startup Act 2022.
The group urged the National Assembly to reject the bill outright, stating it is incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under regional and international human rights treaties.
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