The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, have called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw and reject the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, warning that the legislation could threaten civic space, media freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria.
The organisations, in a joint open letter dated August 29, 2026, and addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the proposed legislation as unnecessary, unlawful and unconstitutional.
The bill, identified as SB.1034 and sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, representing Gombe North, seeks to regulate foreign assistance received by civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations and private entities.
It also proposes mandatory registration and disclosure requirements, with sanctions including a minimum fine of N20 million and possible suspension or revocation of operating licences for organisations found to have violated its provisions.
In the letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the organisations warned that the proposed law could give the government excessive control over organisations receiving foreign assistance.
They said, “Although the Bill is presented in the guise of promoting transparency, it would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.”
SERAP and the editors’ guild argued that Nigeria already has several institutions and legal frameworks responsible for regulating corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption activities.
They said the creation of another regulatory structure through the proposed legislation would be unnecessary and duplicative.
The groups warned that the bill could have serious implications for independent journalism and civil society organisations, many of which depend on foreign grants to fund investigative journalism, fact-checking, journalist safety programmes, media development and other public-interest activities.
According to them, “The Bill is unnecessary, duplicative and would impose the additional cost of another regulator on public resources.”
They also expressed concern that foreign funding laws in other countries had sometimes been used to restrict the activities of civil society groups and the media rather than promote transparency.
“Experience across multiple jurisdictions demonstrates that foreign funding laws can be used not to improve transparency but to stigmatise, intimidate and restrict independent civil society organisations and the media. Nigeria should not follow that path,” the organisations said.
SERAP and NGE consequently urged the National Assembly to immediately withdraw and reject the bill and publicly commit not to introduce legislation that could unjustifiably restrict civic space, media freedom or the legitimate activities of civil society organisations and private entities.
They further called on lawmakers to prioritise legislation that would strengthen transparency, accountability, media freedom and civic participation.
The groups also urged the National Assembly to refrain from introducing further legislative proposals capable of undermining democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
SERAP and NGE warned that they could challenge the legislation in court if lawmakers proceed with its passage despite the concerns raised.
They said, “Should the Bill be passed into law despite the serious constitutional and human rights concerns raised, SERAP and NGE will consider taking all appropriate legal action in the public interest to challenge it and protect freedom of association, media freedom and civic participation.”
The organisations maintained that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to protect democracy and fundamental rights and ensure that legislative powers are not deployed to restrict legitimate democratic participation or silence critical voices.
