Nigeria: Foreign Aid Bill Endangers Civil Society

Abuja - The proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill could undermine Nigeria's civil society organizations, according to Human Rights Watch. The Senate first introduced the bill in May 2026 with the intention of promoting transparency, accountability, and preventing misuse of foreign aid. However, the bill's regulatory commission would have significant control over funding and activities of independent organizations, potentially diminishing civic space.

Anietie Ewang, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that the bill's vagueness in assessing foreign aid alignment with government priorities could stifle dissent and suppress freedom of expression and association, rights protected under international law. The bill has already passed its first and second readings in the Senate and is now under review by the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, with recommendations expected to be reported to the Senate.