The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to immediately withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that it could become a tool for restricting social media and undermining freedom of expression.
In a letter dated July 18, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation described the proposed legislation as a “backdoor attempt” to regulate social media and expand government control over online expression.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), would require social media platforms, data controllers and data processors operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country. It also empowers the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to prohibit the operations of companies that fail to comply within 30 days.
SERAP argued that mandatory local offices would expose technology companies to increased political pressure and make censorship demands easier to enforce. It warned that the proposal could give regulators sweeping powers capable of excluding major digital platforms from Nigeria, with significant implications for millions of users.
The organisation threatened legal action if the Bill is passed in its current form.
“Should the Bill be enacted into law in its current or substantially similar form, SERAP shall promptly take all appropriate legal actions to challenge its legality in the public interest and to ensure that Nigerians’ fundamental rights are fully protected,” the letter stated.
SERAP said the proposal revives previous attempts to regulate social media that faced widespread public opposition and raised human rights concerns. It argued that the amendment could indirectly achieve the same effect as the Federal Government’s 2021 suspension of Twitter by allowing regulators to bar digital platforms from operating in Nigeria.
According to the organisation, the Bill lacks key safeguards, including prior judicial authorisation, adequate opportunities for companies to remedy alleged non-compliance and requirements to consider the impact of enforcement actions on the rights of millions of Nigerians.
SERAP maintained that the proposed amendment would fail constitutional tests of necessity and proportionality under Section 45 of the Nigerian Constitution. It also argued that there is no evidence existing powers under the Nigeria Data Protection Act are inadequate or that less restrictive alternatives would be ineffective.
The rights group further warned that the legislation could harm Nigeria’s digital economy by increasing compliance costs for startups, artificial intelligence developers, research organisations, educational institutions and smaller technology firms. It said such localisation requirements would reduce Nigeria’s attractiveness for innovation and investment.
SERAP also cited international human rights standards, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect freedom of expression and access to information.
The organisation urged the National Assembly to withdraw the Bill, saying it is incompatible with Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations and could undermine the country’s digital future.
