NEWS
Data Protection Act Amendments: SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against National Assembly Leadership
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “to immediately withdraw the repressive bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which seeks to regulate the activities of bloggers operating within the ‘territorial boundaries of Nigeria.’”
Details of SERAP’s position was contained in a statement on Sunday night in Abuja by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
Olwadare posited that the SERAP urged Akpabio and Abbas “to ensure that any amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act promotes and protects the rights of bloggers and other journalists and does not undermine the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”
The SERAP also urged Akpabio and Abbas “to end the imposition of unnecessary restrictions on the rights of Nigerians online and Internet-based content.”
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There is currently a bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms and for Related Matters” (the “bill”).
The bill among others seeks to regulate bloggers including by requiring all bloggers to register local offices and join recognised national association for bloggers. The bill has passed its first and second reading in the Senate.
In the letter dated 12 April 2025 and signed by Oluwadare, the organisation stated thus, “This bill is a blatant attempt to bring back and fast-track the obnoxious and widely rejected social media bill by the back-door.”
The SERAP said, “If passed, the bill would also be used to ban major social media platforms—including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and independent bloggers if they ‘continuously fail to establish/register and maintain physical offices in Nigeria for a period of 30 days.’”
The letter, read in part: “Lawmakers should not become arbiters of truth in the public and political domain. Regulating the activities of bloggers and forcing them to associate would have a significant chilling effect on freedom of expression and lead to censorship or restraint.”
“The bill may also be used to block access of Nigerians to social media platforms. Blocking access to social media platforms is a flagrant violation of fundamental rights.”
“In addition to infringing on Nigerians’ right to access to information and digital technology, the proposed bill would also severely hamper business operations in the country, as many are reliant on foreign tools, services and technologies for their operations, as well as other sectors that rely on online information.”
“The bill would force international tech companies out of the Nigerian information landscape by requiring them to establish/register and maintain physical offices in the country. It would violate the requirement that the right to freedom of expression applies ‘regardless of frontiers.’”
“Should the National Assembly and its leadership fail to withdraw the bill to regulate the activities of bloggers, and should any such bill be assented to by President Bola Tinubu, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to challenge the legality of any such law and ensure it is never implemented in the public interest.”
“The regulation of bloggers may be used to muzzle any dissenting voice and to silence any form of criticism or negative opinion on the policies and practices of the ruling party or the Government.”
“Authorities may also use the proposed regulation as a pretext to punish bloggers solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
“The bill seems to be directed at bloggers living in Nigeria and elsewhere, with severe adverse effects on the freedom of expression of a very wide range of individuals.”
“The proposed amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 fails to meet the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights treaties to which the country is a state party.”
“The amendment, if passed would adversely affect unregistered bloggers operating ‘within the territorial boundaries of Nigeria.’”
“The proposed amendment may also be used to violate the rights to privacy, freedom of peaceful assembly and of association as protected by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights standards.”
“The proposed amendment is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations to respect and ensure the effective realisation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The amendment would disproportionality suppress a wide range of expressive conduct essential to a democratic society.”
“The bill would pose major barriers and threats to any individuals, especially journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations who may be critical of the government, as well as stifle democracy and media freedom.”
“Mandatory regulation of journalism is incompatible with the right to freedom of expression. There is no legitimate reason why bloggers – or in fact members of the general public – should be subject to mandatory regulation or licensing to express themselves.”
“Blogging plays an invaluable role in the free flow of information. Bloggers should never be required to register with the government or other official agencies to blog.”
“The bill may also be used as a pretext to force bloggers to disclose their sources. The right to protect sources is a cornerstone of freedom of the press, without which sources may be deterred from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest.”
“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties which the country has ratified protect everyone’s right [including bloggers] to maintain an opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any media.”
“Nigerian authorities including the National Assembly have legal obligations to ensure an environment in which a diverse range of opinions and ideas can be freely and openly expressed and debated.”
“The requirement of necessity implies an assessment of the proportionality of restrictions, with the aim of ensuring that restrictions target a specific objective and do not unduly intrude upon the rights of targeted persons.”
“As noted in the 2005 Joint Declaration of the special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, ‘[n]o one should be required to register with or obtain permission from any public body to operate an Internet service provider, website, blog or other online information dissemination system, including Internet broadcasting.’”
“In their 2011 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet, the four special mandates for the protection of freedom of expression highlighted that regulatory approaches in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors cannot simply be transferred to the Internet.”
NEWS
Again, DPRP Slashes PMS Price by N50 to N1,075/Liter
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Biztellers reports that this marked its fourth price cut within a month, even as the company claimed in a statement in Lagos on Thursday that it continues to pass lower production costs to consumers despite still processing crude oil purchased at significantly higher international prices.
The latest N50 per litre reduction brings the cumulative decrease in the refinery’s PMS ex depot price to N200 per litre since May 30, 2026, reducing the gantry price to N1,075. Over the same period, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) by N300 per litre and Jet A1 aviation fuel by N520 per litre.
The company stressed that the successive reductions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Nigerians benefit from favourable market developments while maintaining the long-term sustainability of domestic refining operations.
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The refinery explained that petroleum product pricing cannot mirror daily movements in international crude oil markets because crude is purchased weeks, and sometimes months, before it is processed.
According to the refinery, the petroleum products currently being supplied to the market are being produced from crude inventories acquired during periods of substantially higher prices.
It disclosed that the average landed cost of crude processed stood at approximately US$124.80 per barrel in May and US$95.25 per barrel in June, compared with the current international benchmark of about US$71.01 per barrel.
The refinery also clarified that its crude procurement costs are not based solely on the headline ICE Brent benchmark commonly quoted in the media.
Rather, crude is purchased on a Dated Brent basis together with applicable market premiums, freight and logistics costs, resulting in actual feedstock costs that differ materially from benchmark prices.
Despite the sharp increase in crude acquisition costs during the period, the Dangote Refinery said it deliberately refrained from transferring the full impact to consumers, choosing instead to absorb a significant portion of the additional costs in order to support market stability and cushion Nigerians from the volatility in global energy markets.
The company noted that this pricing approach has helped to keep petroleum product prices in Nigeria below those prevailing in neighbouring countries, even after accounting for applicable taxes. It added that as lower priced crude cargoes progressively enter its production cycle, the refinery has begun systematically passing the benefits to the market through phased price reductions.
“Today’s N50 per litre reduction is the fourth price cut in one month, bringing cumulative reductions to above N200 per litre on PMS. This approach ensures that pricing decisions are anchored on actual production economics and inventory costs rather than short term fluctuations in international oil markets,” it said. “Nigeria today benefits from the stabilising role of domestic refining capacity. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently supplies volumes sufficient to meet national demand, helping to strengthen energy security, eliminate dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and provide greater price stability for consumers and businesses”.
The company expressed confidence that if international crude prices remain favourable and lower cost feedstock continues to replace higher priced inventories, Nigerians should expect further moderation in petroleum product prices.
The DPRP reiterated its commitment to supplying high quality, internationally certified petroleum products at competitive prices while supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and the long-term development of the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
NEWS
‘Adire Was Only a Proposal, Not the New NYSC Uniform’ – Youth Minister Clarifies
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not approved Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying reports suggesting otherwise were based on a misunderstanding of his earlier comments.
The clarification came after media reports claimed the minister had announced the replacement of the NYSC’s iconic khaki uniform with Adire during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
In a statement posted on his official social media account, Olawande explained that he only mentioned Adire and Ankara as examples of proposals currently being considered as part of the ongoing reforms of the NYSC scheme.
SEE MORE: No More Khaki! FG Unveils Adire as New NYSC Uniform
“My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.”
The minister stressed that no final decision has been taken on the proposed uniform, noting that the government is still evaluating different options based on professional appearance, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, national identity and the promotion of local industries.
“For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride,” Olawande said.
“No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.”
During his earlier interview on Channels Television, Olawande had responded to a question on whether a new NYSC uniform would be produced locally by saying: “It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country.”
The remark triggered widespread speculation that the Federal Government had officially approved Adire to replace the traditional khaki uniform worn by corps members.
However, the minister urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at making the NYSC scheme more relevant by improving the employability of corps members, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and ensuring a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” he added.
NEWS
Makinde Orders Schools to Recover Lost Learning Time After Orire Kidnappings
The Oyo State Government has directed all public schools across the state to intensify efforts to recover academic time lost during the recent industrial action triggered by the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the ministry’s conference hall to develop a coordinated recovery plan for restoring normal academic activities.
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The meeting brought together representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Addressing stakeholders, Olayiwola stressed the need for urgent academic recovery, urging school administrators and teachers to prioritise effective teaching and learning to reduce the impact of the disruption.
“Schools must intensify efforts to recover the academic time lost during the industrial action. We cannot allow our students to be academically disadvantaged by the recent disruption,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to strengthening the education sector through policies that improve learning outcomes across the state.
“The Oyo State Government remains committed to providing the best learning environment for our students. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration will continue to implement policies that enhance the quality of education across the state,” Olayiwola added.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Baale Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, commended teachers’ unions for suspending the industrial action in the interest of students.
“We appreciate the leadership of the teachers’ unions for putting the interest of students first by suspending the industrial action,” Aderibigbe said.
“Continued collaboration between government and education stakeholders is essential to moving the sector forward.” he added
However, representatives of the NUT, ANCOPSS and AOPSHON urged the state government to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the teachers and students abducted in Orire Local Government Area.
The unions said, “We appeal to the government to sustain every effort toward the safe release of our abducted colleagues and students while we remain committed to supporting quality education in Oyo State.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Education Intervention, Suraju Tiamiyu, expressed optimism that the abducted teachers and students would soon regain their freedom.
“We are optimistic that the abducted teachers and students will soon regain their freedom. The government is making sustained efforts to ensure their safe release,” Tiamiyu said.
The industrial action was triggered by the abduction of teachers and students in Orire Local Government Area, disrupting academic activities in public schools before the strike was suspended.
With schools back in session, the Oyo State Government says recovering lost classroom hours remains a top priority while security agencies continue efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.





