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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, warning that it could undermine civic space, media freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria.
The organisations made the call in a joint open letter dated August 29, 2026, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The letter, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and the NGE’s General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, described the Bill, sponsored by Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, as “unnecessary, unlawful, unconstitutional and a threat to civic space, media freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria.”
SERAP and NGE argued that the proposed legislation, if passed, would establish what they described as an extensive framework for government control over civil society organisations, independent media organisations, religious bodies and private entities receiving foreign assistance.
Although the Bill is presented as a measure to promote transparency, the organisations said its provisions could subject organisations receiving foreign aid to additional registration, disclosure and regulatory requirements.
The Bill proposes mandatory registration and disclosure requirements for organisations receiving foreign aid and provides sanctions, including a minimum fine of N20m for civil society organisations and private entities, as well as possible suspension or revocation of operating licences.
SERAP and NGE argued that Nigeria already has institutions responsible for regulating financial activities and ensuring accountability, making the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission unnecessary.
They listed the Corporate Affairs Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and Nigeria Revenue Service among agencies already empowered to oversee corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation and anti-corruption enforcement.
“Nothing in the Bill demonstrates that these institutions are unable to perform their statutory responsibilities or that any regulatory gap justifies creating another regulator with overlapping and potentially intrusive powers,” the organisations stated.
The groups also expressed concern over what they described as vague provisions in the Bill, particularly the use of terms such as “foreign aid”, “national priorities” and “public interest”.
They argued that the absence of clear definitions could result in arbitrary enforcement and violate constitutional and international human rights standards requiring restrictions on fundamental rights to be lawful, necessary and proportionate.
According to the organisations, the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission would have broad powers to register organisations, compel disclosures, inspect records, investigate activities, monitor foreign assistance, issue directives, suspend approvals and impose sanctions.
“These sweeping powers go far beyond ordinary financial regulation and would expose legitimate organisations, including independent media organisations, civil society groups and other civic actors and private entities, to intrusive governmental supervision and interference,” they said.
SERAP and NGE further warned that placing independent media organisations and civil society groups under an additional executive-controlled regulatory framework could place pressure on their independence and encourage self-censorship.
They said the legislation could have serious implications for investigative journalism, fact-checking initiatives, journalist safety programmes, media development and other public-interest activities that rely on foreign grants.
The organisations also linked their concerns to what they described as Nigeria’s shrinking civic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections amid an increasingly shrinking civic space, the Bill further threatens fundamental rights, democratic participation and media freedom,” they warned.
SERAP and NGE said the proposed legislation was inconsistent with Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantee freedom of expression and association.
They also argued it was inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and other international human rights standards protecting civic space, freedom of association, and media freedom.
The organisations urged lawmakers to immediately withdraw and reject the Bill and refrain from introducing legislation that could restrict the activities of civil society organisations, private entities and independent media.
They warned that if the Bill was passed despite the constitutional and human rights concerns raised, they would consider taking legal action to challenge the legislation and protect freedom of association, media freedom and civic participation.
SERAP and NGE also called on the National Assembly to prioritise legislation that promotes transparency, accountability, media freedom, civic participation and an enabling environment for civil society, religious, humanitarian and media organisations.
They urged lawmakers to uphold their constitutional responsibility to protect democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, warning against using legislative powers to narrow legitimate democratic participation or silence critical voices.
