Nigeria: Withdraw Social Media Shutdown Bill or Face Legal Action, SERAP Warns

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern warning to Nigerian legislative leaders, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026. SERAP contends that the bill represents a covert effort to grant the government excessive control over social media platforms and online speech.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, SERAP urged them to reject the bill outright. The organization views the legislation as a dangerous precedent that could stifle freedom of expression, a fundamental right. They argue it's a "backdoor" attempt to regulate the internet in a manner that undermines democratic principles.

SERAP has made it clear that failure to withdraw the bill will result in legal action. This threat underscores the seriousness with which the organization views the potential implications of the amendment. The group insists that expanding governmental control over online expression is unacceptable and must be resisted through all available legal means.

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immediately reject and withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as the Bill is a backdoor attempt to regulate social media and expand governmental control over online expression, which […]