Nigeria Senate President Akpabio Calls for Budget Transparency as Human Rights Group Opposes Social Media Bill

The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas urging them to withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026. SERAP argues the bill would force social‑media platforms to maintain physical offices in Nigeria and give the Nigeria Data Protection Commission power to shut down non‑compliant services, creating a “backdoor attempt to regulate social media” and violating international human‑rights standards. The group warned it would take legal action if the bill is enacted.

Separately, Senate President Akpabio disclosed that he has never seen the National Assembly’s budget, highlighting a lack of transparency in legislative finances. Speaking during a plenary session, he called for a review of the Assembly’s procurement process and urged the creation of a committee to examine how the budget is prepared and managed. The remarks underscore growing concerns over governance and oversight within Nigeria’s parliament.