BREAKING: National Assembly Faces Legal Threat Over Proposed Social Media Bill

• SERAP has urged the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed Nigeria Data Protection Amendment Bill, warning it could be used to regulate social media, suppress free speech and expand government control over online expression.

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

The rights advocacy organisation also warned that it would challenge the legislation in court if it is passed in its current or substantially similar form.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), seeks to compel social media platforms, data controllers and data processors operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices within the country. It also empowers the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to suspend or prohibit the operations of any company that fails to comply within 30 days.

In a letter dated July 18, 2026, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, SERAP argued that the proposed amendment poses a serious threat to constitutionally guaranteed rights, particularly freedom of expression and access to information.

The letter, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, stated that forcing technology companies to establish local offices would expose them to political pressure and make it easier for authorities to demand censorship.

“Requirements compelling technology companies to establish local offices would increase government leverage over platforms, facilitate political pressure, make censorship demands easier and expose local employees to retaliation,” the organisation stated.

SERAP further argued that the legislation could grant regulators sweeping powers capable of shutting down or excluding social media platforms from operating in Nigeria, thereby exposing millions of Nigerians to violations of their constitutional and internationally recognised human rights.

The organisation said the bill revives earlier attempts to regulate social media that were widely criticised by Nigerians, insisting that localisation requirements should not be used as a tool to increase government control over digital platforms.

According to SERAP, if the bill eventually becomes law, it will promptly institute legal proceedings in the public interest to challenge its legality and protect Nigerians’ fundamental rights.

The group also criticised the bill for allegedly granting excessive powers to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission without adequate judicial oversight or procedural safeguards.

SERAP maintained that the legislation lacks provisions for prior court approval before sanctions are imposed and fails to provide sufficient opportunities for affected companies to comply beyond the proposed 30-day deadline.

The organisation cited the judgment of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which ruled that Nigeria’s suspension of Twitter violated the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.

It warned that although the proposed bill differs from the Twitter ban in structure, it could produce the same outcome by empowering regulators to indirectly block social media platforms from operating in Nigeria.

SERAP stressed that while governments have legitimate reasons to regulate digital platforms, such regulations must comply with the Nigerian Constitution as well as international human rights obligations.

The organisation also warned that mandatory local office requirements would significantly increase operational costs for technology companies, startups, artificial intelligence developers, educational institutions and research organisations, potentially discouraging innovation and foreign investment.

According to SERAP, the proposal also conflicts with the objectives of the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, both of which seek to promote innovation and attract technology investments into the country.

The organisation therefore urged lawmakers to immediately reject and withdraw the bill, insisting that it is incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights commitments.