‘Withdraw backdoor social media shutdown bill or face legal action’, SERAP tells Akpabio, Abbas

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to reject and withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026. SERAP claims that the bill is a backdoor attempt to regulate social media and expand governmental control over online expression. The organization argues that this move would undermine Nigerians' right to freedom of expression and access to information.

The Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has sparked controversy in Nigeria's legislative landscape. SERAP's call to reject and withdraw the bill is a significant development in the ongoing debate over online regulation. The organization's concerns highlight the potential implications of this legislation on Nigerians' fundamental rights. This article examines the background and significance of the issue, as well as the potential consequences of the proposed law.

The Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is a legislative proposal aimed at amending existing data protection laws in Nigeria. While the bill's primary intention may be to protect individuals' personal data, SERAP argues that its provisions would have far-reaching consequences for online expression and access to information. The organization points out that the bill's language is ambiguous and could be used to justify censorship and control over social media platforms.

SERAP's concerns about the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026 are grounded in the principles of freedom of expression and access to information enshrined in Nigerian law. The organization argues that the bill would undermine these fundamental rights by expanding governmental control over online expression. This move could have significant implications for Nigerians' ability to express themselves freely online and access information without fear of censorship.

The outcome of this matter has not yet been reported, but SERAP's call to reject and withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is a critical development in the ongoing debate over online regulation. Practitioners should closely monitor this issue as it may have significant implications for Nigerians' fundamental rights. The proposed law highlights the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences of legislative proposals on freedom of expression and access to information.