The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have warned that they may resort to legal action if the National Assembly proceeds with the controversial Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034).
The organisations urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately reject and withdraw the proposed legislation, describing it as “unnecessary, unlawful, unconstitutional” and a threat to civic space, media freedom and democratic participation.
In a joint open letter dated August 29, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and NGE General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the groups warned that the Bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), would establish an extensive government regulatory framework over civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations and other private entities receiving foreign assistance.
The proposed legislation seeks mandatory registration and disclosure requirements for beneficiaries of foreign assistance and provides sanctions, including a minimum fine of N20 million for civil society organisations and private entities, as well as possible suspension or revocation of operating licences.
SERAP and NGE argued that although the Bill is presented as an attempt to promote transparency, it would give government broad powers to register, inspect, investigate and monitor organisations receiving foreign assistance, as well as compel disclosure of information and impose administrative sanctions.
According to the organisations, Nigeria already has sufficient institutions and legal mechanisms for corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption enforcement, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and Federal Inland Revenue Service.
They therefore questioned the justification for establishing another regulator, the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC), describing its powers as overlapping, intrusive and potentially capable of undermining the independence of legitimate organisations.
The groups particularly expressed concern over the potential impact of the Bill on independent journalism, noting that many media organisations and civil society groups rely on foreign grants for investigative journalism, fact-checking, journalist safety, media development and other public-interest activities.
They warned that subjecting independent media and civic organisations to an additional executive-controlled regulatory regime could increase government leverage over their operations, encourage self-censorship and weaken media independence.
The organisations also faulted what they described as vague provisions in the Bill, including references to “foreign aid,” “national priorities” and “public interest,” arguing that the concepts lack clear definitions and objective legal standards.
They further said the proposed mandatory disclosure of foreign assistance including sources, amounts, conditions and implementing partners for publication on a National Foreign Aid Register could impose disproportionate burdens on legitimate organisations.
SERAP and NGE argued that the Bill is incompatible with Sections 39 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and association, as well as provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
They also warned that the legislation could further shrink civic space ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly against the backdrop of what they described as increasing use of criminal defamation and cybercrime laws, arbitrary arrests, malicious prosecutions and other measures against journalists and activists.
The organisations consequently called on the National Assembly to withdraw and reject the Bill and commit not to reintroduce legislation that unjustifiably restricts civic space, media freedom or the legitimate activities of civil society organisations and private entities.
They also urged lawmakers to prioritise legislation that strengthens transparency, accountability, media freedom and civic participation while creating an enabling environment for independent civil society, religious, humanitarian, media and private organisations.
SERAP and NGE warned that should the Bill be passed into law despite the constitutional and human rights concerns raised, they would consider taking all appropriate legal action in the public interest to protect freedom of association, media freedom and civic participation.
