RULAAC Supports SERAP Against Nigeria Data Protection Bill

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed its unequivocal support for the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in urging the withdrawal of certain provisions in the Nigeria Data Protection Amendment Bill of 2026. RULAAC argues that the bill, in its current form, undermines constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and access to information, which are essential for democratic participation.

Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of RULAAC, emphasized that while the state has a legitimate responsibility to protect personal data, this should not be used as a pretext to expand government control over the digital space or introduce measures that facilitate censorship. RULAAC specifically noted concerns regarding provisions that empower regulatory authorities to shut down digital platforms for non-compliance with local requirements, which could create arbitrary restrictions on access to these platforms.

This situation echoes the 2021 suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, which was found by the ECOWAS Court of Justice to be incompatible with the right to freedom of expression as outlined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.