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
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