Editors, Rights Group Move Against Senate President, House Speaker Over Civil Society Bill

Editors

 

OpenLife News reports that the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, have called on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “immediately reject and withdraw” the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026

The groups said the Bill is “unnecessary, unlawful, unconstitutional and threatens civic space, media freedom and democratic participation in Nigeria.”

What The Bill Proposes

Sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, PDP Gombe North, the Bill seeks to establish the Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission, FARC, with powers to register NGOs, CSOs, independent media and other private entities receiving foreign assistance.

It also proposes mandatory disclosure of sources, amounts and partners, annual audits, and alignment of foreign-funded projects with government-defined “national priorities.”

Penalties include a minimum fine of N20 million for organisations, plus possible suspension or revocation of operating licences. Individuals face heavy fines and jail terms for non-compliance.

Duplicative And Dangerous

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 argued that Nigeria already has enough regulators including CAC, EFCC, SCUML, NFIU and FIRS.

“Although the Bill is presented in the guise of promoting transparency, it would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations and other entities receiving foreign assistance,” the letter read.

SERAP and NGE warned that vague terms like ‘foreign aid’, ‘national priorities’ and ‘public interest’ give FARC sweeping powers to inspect records, monitor funds, issue directives and impose sanctions — creating room for “arbitrary or selective enforcement.”

Threat To 2027 Elections

The organisations said the Bill directly attacks Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution on freedom of expression and association, and violates the African Charter and ICCPR.

They noted that with the 2027 general elections approaching and civic space already shrinking, the law could be used to “stigmatise, intimidate and restrict independent civil society and the media.”

“Should the Bill be 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,” the groups said.

What They Want

SERAP and NGE urged the National Assembly to:
-Withdraw and reject SB.1034 immediately and pledge not to reintroduce similar legislation
-Prioritise laws that strengthen transparency, accountability and media freedom
-Refrain from laws that undermine democracy ahead of 2027
-Uphold constitutional duty to protect civic participation instead of silencing critical voices