Nigeria Foreign Aid Bill Raises Concerns Over Civil Society Freedom

Human Rights Research Center
4 hours ago
4 min read

September 3, 2026

Transparency in foreign aid is important, but so is the freedom of organisations to work independently. Nigeria should ensure that any new rules are clear, fair and do not make foreign funding a basis for limiting legitimate human rights and accountability work.

[Image credit: Emmanuel Ikwuegbu/Unsplash]

Nigeria’s Senate is considering a bill that would give the government greater oversight of foreign aid, grants and donations, raising concerns about the ability of civil society organisations to operate independently.

The Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, introduced in May, passed its second reading on July 22 and was sent to a Senate committee for further review, public hearings and consultations. It seeks to create a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission and a database to track foreign-funded projects.

The proposed commission would oversee how foreign assistance is used. An analysis of the bill found that some of its provisions give authorities broad powers without clearly setting out limits on how they can be used.

One provision would also require foreign-funded projects to align with Nigeria’s national development plans and priorities, without clearly explaining how that requirement would be assessed.

The lack of clear criteria could affect organisations whose work challenges government policies or draws attention to official failures. Groups documenting human rights abuses, defending communities or monitoring government actions could find their work questioned if authorities decide that it does not fit the country’s priorities. A joint statement by human rights organisations has said that the provision could be used to restrict legitimate civil society activities.

The bill also sets out new requirements for organisations receiving foreign assistance, including registration, disclosure of funding and regular reporting. Many of these areas are already covered by existing laws and government institutions responsible for registration, financial reporting and oversight.

Failure to meet the bill’s requirements could carry serious consequences. Organisations could face fines of up to ₦20 million, suspension or loss of their operating licences, while some violations could also attract prison terms.

The proposed rules raise questions about Nigeria’s obligations to protect freedom of association and expression. These rights are protected under Nigeria’s Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights guidelines also recognise the right of organisations to seek and receive funding from foreign sources.

The bill remains under consideration and is not yet law. It must go through further stages in the Senate and, if passed, the House of Representatives before being sent to the president for assent.

As lawmakers consider the bill, the key question will be whether stronger oversight of foreign aid can be achieved without limiting the ability of independent organisations to carry out legitimate human rights and public accountability work.

Glossary

Accountability – The quality or state of being accountable

Align - To bring something into a straight line, or an easy agreement

Assent - Formal approval given by the president for a bill passed by Parliament to become law.

Civil society organisation – An organisational structure whose members serve the general interest through a democratic process and which plays the role of mediator between public authorities and citizens.

Commission - A multiheaded body created to perform a particular function, whether it be administrative, legislative, or judicial in nature.

Compliance - The act of adhering to established guidelines, regulations, laws,

Disclosure – The act of making something known.

Foreign Aid - The international transfer of capital, goods, or services from a country or international organization for the benefit of the recipient country or its population.

Freedom of Association - A fundamental human right that allows individuals to join or form groups, organisations, or unions voluntarily to collectively express, promote, and defend their interests or beliefs.

Freedom of Expression - The freedom for us all to express ourselves. It is the right to speak, to be heard, and to participate in political, artistic, and social life. It also includes the ‘right to know’: the right to seek, receive, and share information through any media.

House of Representatives - The lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies

Legitimate – Allowed by law.

Non-compliance - The fact of not obeying a rule or law, especially one that controls a particular industry, or type of work or activity.

Operating license - Approvals, permits, filings or registrations which are necessary for the lawful and effective operation by the Company of all its businesses

Oversight - Regulatory supervision

Provision - A specific requirement or rule within a legal document or law.

Public accountability – The obligation to answer publicly, to report to an acceptable standard of answering, for the discharge of responsibilities that affect the public in important ways.

Senate - The second chamber in the bicameral legislature of a major political unit such as a nation.

Transparency - The quality or state of being transparent.

Sources