By Seun Ibiyemi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed legislation could expand government control over social media platforms and online expression.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), seeks to compel 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 suspend or prohibit the operations of entities that fail to comply within 30 days.
In a letter dated July 18, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the bill as an indirect attempt to regulate social media, arguing that it poses serious risks to constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms.
According to the organisation, requiring technology companies to establish local offices would increase governmental influence over digital platforms, facilitate political pressure and expose local employees to retaliation.
SERAP maintained that the proposed amendment could grant regulators sweeping powers to exclude social media platforms from the Nigerian market, thereby affecting millions of citizens who rely on digital platforms for communication, business, education and civic engagement.
The rights group noted that the bill revives earlier attempts by the National Assembly to regulate social media, proposals that had previously generated widespread opposition and concerns over human rights.
“The current Bill revives substantially similar proposals previously introduced by Senator Nwoko, raising renewed concerns that localisation requirements are being used as a vehicle for expanding governmental control over digital platforms and online expression,” the organisation stated.
SERAP warned that it would challenge the legislation in court should it become law 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,” it said.
The organisation further argued that the bill could effectively replicate the impact of the Twitter suspension in Nigeria, which the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled violated the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
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Criticising the proposed Section 5(p) of the bill, SERAP said it grants the NDPC broad powers to prohibit digital platforms from operating in Nigeria without sufficient legal safeguards, judicial oversight or consideration of less restrictive alternatives.
According to the organisation, while governments have a legitimate responsibility to regulate digital platforms, such measures must comply with constitutional provisions and international human rights obligations.
SERAP also cautioned that the legislation could hurt Nigeria’s digital economy by increasing operational costs for startups, technology firms, educational institutions and artificial intelligence developers.
The group argued that the proposal contradicts the objectives of the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, potentially discouraging innovation and investment.
Citing provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, SERAP urged lawmakers to reject the bill and safeguard Nigerians’ rights to free expression and access to information.
