HRW Urges National Assembly to Reject Foreign Aid Bill, Warns of Govt Control Over NGOs
Wale Igbintade Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, warning that it could undermine the independence of
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called upon Nigeria's National Assembly to reject the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, warning that the legislation could weaken the independence of civil society organisations and limit civic space. The international human rights group highlighted provisions in the bill that could grant government authorities excessive influence over the funding and operations of independent organisations.
Introduced by the Senate in May 2026, the bill aims to regulate foreign aid, establish a regulatory commission to oversee foreign aid, and promote transparency and accountability. However, HRW cautioned that forcing foreign-funded activities to align with government priorities could lead to undue government control over civil society.
Anietie Ewang, a Nigeria researcher at HRW, emphasized that civil society organisations' independence is crucial for scrutinising government actions, exposing wrongdoing, and advocating for reforms. The bill has advanced through the Senate's Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs and is expected to undergo further review and public hearings before a final vote.
If passed, the bill would require approval from the House of Representatives and the president. HRW's concerns echo previous attempts to tighten government regulation and oversight of civil society organisations. The organisation noted that a 2016 bill to establish a Nongovernmental Organizations Regulatory Commission was stalled, and a 2020 bill was withdrawn due to opposition.
The proposed legislation mandates that foreign aid-funded activities align with Nigeria's national development plans, a vague requirement that could create uncertainty for organisations working on human rights, governance, and accountability. HRW warned that non-compliance could result in financial penalties, revoked operating licences, and imprisonment.
The group stressed that independent civil society groups play a vital role in promoting transparency, documenting abuses, and holding those in power accountable. Requiring access to foreign funding to be contingent on compliance with government priorities could weaken this independence and potentially suppress dissent, limiting democratic participation.
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