CSOs urges N’Assembly to withdraw foreign aid regulation bill - Punch Newspapers
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has called on the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, describing it as a threat to civic space and freedom of association. The bill, which seeks to regulate and monitor the operation and funding of non-governmental and civil society organisations, has passed first and second readings and was referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Society and Development Partners for legislative review. The proposed legislation, which was originally introduced in 2016 by the late House of Representatives member, Umar Jibril, is sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo. Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday by the Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Odeh Friday, the coalition described the bill as repressive and unconstitutional. The coalition added that the proposed legislation would subject organisations receiving foreign grants, donations or technical assistance to extensive regulatory controls.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The statement read, “This bill is repressive and unconstitutional. It is an insidious state-sponsored attempt to police empathy, weaponise bureaucracy, and place undue restrictions on the fundamental right of citizens to support and care for one another.” The CSOs argued that the bill could affect not only conventional NGOs but also community-based organisations, religious welfare committees, hometown development unions, alumni associations and informal savings groups. “Under the sweeping and broad definitions contained in the bill, an NGO is not simply an elite advocacy group based in Abuja. The legislation could also cover local church welfare committees, Friday mosque Zakat distribution networks, hometown development unions, university alumni associations and informal credit groups,” the coalition said. JUST IN: Tinubu signs 2025 budget amendment bill DLA faults FG as National Assembly extends 2025 budget to 2026 2025 budget: Senate, Reps extend capital implementation to December The organisations said Nigeria already had institutions and laws regulating non-profit organisations and monitoring financial flows, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit. “Nigeria already maintains extensive institutional oversight over the activities of non-governmental and not-for-profit organisations,” they said, adding that the proposed bill would duplicate existing regulatory frameworks. The coalition also criticised provisions requiring foreign-funded projects to align with government-defined priorities. “Civil society exists partly to challenge official priorities, document abuses, advocate for marginalised groups and serve communities the state does not adequately reach,” the CSOs said. They further expressed concern over proposed sanctions, including up to five years’ imprisonment for individuals and fines of at least N20m for organisations. The coalition called on religious leaders, diaspora networks, student unions, market associations and Nigerians to oppose the bill. “We do not need a license to care for our communities. We demand a complete withdrawal of this bill,” the CSOs said. Olugbenga Ige Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
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