Warn against threat to media freedom
Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately reject and withdraw the Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034).

The bodies described it as unnecessary, unlawful, and a threat to civic space, media freedom and democratic participation.

The organisations, in a joint open letter at the weekend, said the Bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North), would, if enacted, establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations and other organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.

The letter was signed by the Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, and the General Secretary, NGE, Mr Onuoha Ukeh.

The bill proposes mandatory registration and disclosure requirements and provides for sanctions, including a minimum fine of N20 million for civil society organisations and private entities, as well as possible suspension or revocation of operating licences.

ERAP and NGE urged the National Assembly to immediately withdraw and reject the bill and publicly commit not to reintroduce any legislation that unjustifiably restricts civic space, media freedom or the legitimate activities of civil society organisations and private entities.

They further warned that should the legislation be passed despite the concerns raised, they would consider legal action.

According to the organisations, the proposed legislation could have serious consequences for independent journalism and civil society organisations because many rely on foreign grants to support investigative journalism, fact-checking, journalist safety, media development and other public-interest activities.

They argued that the proposed regulatory framework was unnecessary because Nigeria already had institutions responsible for corporate registration, financial reporting, taxation, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption enforcement.

SERAP and NGE also faulted what they described as vague provisions in the Bill, particularly references to foreign aid, national priorities and public interest.

The organisations said Part II of the Bill would establish the proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC), with powers to register NGOs, CSOs and private entities receiving foreign assistance, compel disclosures, inspect records, investigate activities, monitor the utilisation of foreign assistance, issue directives, suspend approvals, revoke registrations and impose administrative sanctions.

They warned that placing independent media and civil society organisations under an additional executive-controlled regulatory regime could increase governmental leverage over their operations.

The organisations said the proposed framework could also affect religious organisations, humanitarian organisations, charitable bodies, labour unions, professional associations, universities, research institutes, technology hubs and other entities receiving foreign grants, donations, technical assistance or development funding.

They also linked their concerns to the forthcoming 2027 general elections, warning that the bill could further threaten fundamental rights, democratic participation and media freedom.