The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly to withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that it could pave the way for government control of social media and restrict online freedom of expression.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, SERAP threatened legal action if the bill is passed in its current form.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), seeks to require 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.
SERAP argued that the bill grants excessive regulatory powers without sufficient judicial oversight or procedural safeguards, warning that it could effectively lead to the shutdown of digital platforms and infringe on citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
The organisation also cautioned that mandatory local office requirements could discourage investment, increase compliance costs for startups and technology firms, and negatively impact Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
SERAP urged lawmakers to reject the amendment, insisting that it poses a threat to the rights of millions of Nigerians who rely on digital platforms for communication, education, business, civic engagement and political participation.
