SERAP Demands Withdrawal of Controversial Data Bill

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to immediately withdraw the proposed Nigeria Data Protection Amendment Bill 2026. SERAP describes the bill as a backdoor attempt to regulate social media and expand government control over online expression.

They warn that if the bill is passed in its current form, they will take legal action. The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko of the APC from Delta North, seeks to compel social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria and grant the Nigeria Data Protection Commission the authority to shut down entities that fail to comply within 30 days.

SERAP argues that the bill poses a threat to constitutional guarantees of rights and could lead to increased government leverage over digital platforms, potentially violating international human rights standards. They cite a previous ECOWAS Court ruling regarding the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, asserting that the current bill could have similar consequences.