The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the National Assembly to immediately reject and withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), describing the proposed legislation as unnecessary, unconstitutional and potentially dangerous to civic space, freedom of association and media independence.
The two organisations also warned that they would consider legal action if the bill is passed into law despite the constitutional and human rights concerns they have raised.
In a joint open letter dated August 29, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the organisations urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to intervene and stop the proposed legislation.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Gombe North, seeks to introduce mandatory registration and disclosure requirements for civil society organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.
It also proposes sanctions, including a minimum fine of N20 million for affected civil society organisations and private entities, alongside possible suspension or revocation of operating licences.
SERAP and NGE argued that the proposed law is unnecessary because Nigeria already has several institutions with statutory responsibilities covering corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption enforcement.
They specifically cited the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
“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 said.
They expressed particular concern over provisions seeking to establish the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC), which would have powers to register organisations, compel disclosures, inspect records, investigate activities, monitor foreign assistance and impose sanctions.
According to SERAP and NGE, such powers go beyond conventional financial regulation and could expose legitimate organisations, independent media outlets, civil society groups, civic actors and private entities to extensive governmental supervision and interference.
“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 stated.
The organisations warned that the proposed regulatory framework could have serious consequences for independent journalism, particularly because several media and civil society organisations depend on foreign grants to fund investigative journalism, fact-checking initiatives, journalist safety programmes and media development projects.
They argued that placing independent media organisations and civil society groups under what they described as an additional executive-controlled regulatory regime could increase government leverage over their operations, weaken institutional independence and create an atmosphere capable of encouraging self-censorship.
“Subjecting independent media and other civil society organisations and private entities to an additional executive-controlled regulatory regime would increase governmental leverage over their operations, place pressure on independence and create conditions conducive to self-censorship,” they said.
SERAP and NGE also criticised the bill for relying on broad terms such as “foreign aid,” “national priorities” and “public interest” without, in their view, providing sufficiently clear definitions or objective standards for determining how the terms would be applied.
They further described the proposed penalties as disproportionate, pointing to the minimum N20 million fines, suspension or revocation of operating licences and possible imprisonment of individuals.
The groups expressed heightened concern over the timing of the proposed legislation, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching. They warned that the bill could further restrict civic participation at a time when they believe Nigeria’s civic space is already under pressure.
According to them, the proposed legislation raises serious constitutional concerns and could conflict with Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and freedom of association.
They also argued that the bill could be inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments protecting freedom of expression, association, civic participation and media freedom.
SERAP and NGE consequently called on the National Assembly to withdraw SB.1034 and instead pursue measures that promote transparency and accountability without restricting legitimate civic activities or creating excessive regulatory powers.
They urged lawmakers to avoid legislation that could undermine democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, media independence and the ability of citizens and civic organisations to participate freely in public affairs.
The organisations further issued a warning that their opposition could move beyond public advocacy if lawmakers proceed with the bill.
“If the Bill is 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,” they said.