Five human rights organisations have called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1034), warning that its provisions could restrict civic space and undermine the activities of human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
The organisations are the Nigerian Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN), Partnership for Justice, Front Line Defenders (FLD), West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN) and Protection International (PI).
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the groups said the bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), passed its second reading in the Senate in July.
They said the proposed legislation seeks to establish a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC) with powers to register, inspect, audit, sanction and suspend or shut down organisations that receive foreign grants, donations or technical assistance.
According to the groups, the proposed regulatory framework could have far-reaching implications for independent civic organisations, human rights defenders, legal aid providers and humanitarian groups operating in Nigeria.
They argued that the bill was inconsistent with Nigeria’s commitments under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), particularly recommendations calling for a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
The organisations also pointed out that Nigeria is seeking election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term, arguing that the country’s candidacy should be matched by stronger domestic protections for human rights defenders.
The groups raised concerns about several provisions of the proposed law.
They said Section 6(1), which requires foreign aid to be registered within 30 days of receipt, could create challenges for emergency funding, including legal defence, relocation assistance and support for survivors of human rights violations.
They also criticised Sections 7 and 8, which provide for the public disclosure of implementing partners and funded activities through a national register.
According to the groups, publicly disclosing information involving human rights defenders, survivors, witnesses and others engaged in sensitive documentation could expose vulnerable individuals to security risks.
The organisations further expressed concern over Section 11, which requires foreign-funded activities to align with Nigeria’s national development plans and priorities.
They described the provision as overly broad and potentially capable of restricting organisations working on human rights, land and environmental rights, as well as those supporting vulnerable communities.
The groups also questioned the need for establishing FARC, arguing that several of its proposed responsibilities could overlap with the mandates of existing institutions, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The organisations urged the Senate, its leadership and the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the bill, warning that its passage could have serious implications for civic freedoms and human rights work in Nigeria.
