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 proposed Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The organisation warned that it would institute legal action if the bill becomes law. It argued that the proposed legislation amounts to a backdoor attempt to regulate social media and expand government control over online expression.
SERAP raises concerns over proposed amendment
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, 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 shut down or prohibit the operations of any entity that fails to comply within 30 days.
In a letter dated July 18, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation argued that the proposal could expose millions of Nigerians to violations of their constitutional rights.
SERAP threatens legal action
SERAP warned that it would challenge the legislation in court if lawmakers pass it in its current form.
The organisation said:
“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.”
According to SERAP, the proposal revives previous attempts to regulate social media that generated widespread public opposition.
Group says bill could enable censorship
SERAP argued that compelling technology companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria would increase government influence over digital platforms. It also warned that the measure could make censorship easier.
The organisation stated:
“The Bill constitutes a backdoor attempt to regulate social media and increase governmental control over online expression through corporate localisation requirements rather than through transparent and constitutionally permissible regulation.”
It further warned that the proposal could produce the same outcome as a direct social media ban by empowering regulators to stop digital platforms from operating in Nigeria.
SERAP cites constitutional, international obligations
The rights group maintained that governments have the authority to regulate digital platforms. However, it stressed that such regulation must comply with constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards.
SERAP argued that the proposed amendment lacks safeguards such as prior judicial authorisation, meaningful opportunities for compliance and consideration of the impact on millions of Nigerians before any platform could be prohibited.
Bill could affect innovation, investment
The organisation also warned that the amendment could harm Nigeria’s digital economy and discourage investment in technology.
It argued that compulsory localisation requirements would increase compliance costs for startups, research institutions, AI developers and smaller technology companies.
SERAP said:
“Mandatory localisation requirements substantially increase compliance costs, particularly for startups, open-source projects, educational institutions, research organisations, AI developers and smaller technology companies, while reducing Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for innovation and investment.”
SERAP urges National Assembly to withdraw bill
The organisation urged the National Assembly to abandon the proposal. It insisted that lawmakers should protect constitutional rights and Nigeria’s digital future instead of introducing measures capable of restricting online expression.
It concluded:
“The National Assembly should seize this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and Nigeria’s digital future by immediately withdrawing the Bill.”
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