Proposed legislation aimed at regulating foreign aid in Nigeria threatens the independence of non-governmental organisations (NGO) and could be weaponised to silence critical voices, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned this Monday.

The Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, introduced in the Nigerian Senate in May, seeks to create a new regulatory commission to oversee international grants and donations. While supporters argue the measure will boost transparency and keep aid aligned with national goals, rights campaigners caution that its vaguely worded requirement for foreign-funded projects to “align with Nigeria’s national development plans and priorities” gives the government total control over independent groups.

“Independence is essential to the work of civil society organisations working to scrutinise government actions, expose wrongdoing, hold those in power accountable, and advocate for reforms,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at HRW. “Legislation that seeks to align foreign funding with government priorities risks expanding government control over independent civil society and suppressing dissent.”

Organisations that fall foul of the proposed rules face heavy fines, the revocation of their operating licences, and potential prison sentences for key staff.

Having cleared its first and second readings in the Senate, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs for stakeholder consultation and inspection.

Previous attempts by Nigerian lawmakers to establish tighter controls over NGOs collapsed in 2016 and 2020 following pushback from civil society groups and legislators.

–ChannelAfrica/HRW–