General News
Civil Society Groups Demand Immediate Withdrawal of Foreign Aid Bill, Social Media Bills, Warn National Assembly Against ‘Shrinking Civic Space’
A coalition of 90 Nigerian, African and international civil society organisations has called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, and the bill seeking to compel social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, warning that the measures threaten constitutional freedoms and democratic governance.
At a joint press conference in Abuja, the coalition described the proposed legislations as part of an emerging pattern of laws that could significantly expand executive control over civic life while restricting freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, media freedom and citizens’ participation in governance.
The organisations argued that the bills are coming at a critical period as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, warning that their passage could create an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship.
“The National Assembly now faces a defining constitutional choice,” the coalition said, adding that lawmakers must decide whether to strengthen democratic accountability or accelerate democratic decline through restrictive legislation.
The coalition expressed particular concern over the Foreign Aids Bill (SB.1034), saying it would create a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission with sweeping powers to register, inspect, sanction, suspend and potentially shut down organisations receiving foreign assistance.
According to the groups, the proposed commission would duplicate the responsibilities of existing institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), while granting broad discretionary powers capable of undermining the independence of civil society organisations.
The coalition also criticised the proposed legislation requiring social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria, arguing that it would give government greater leverage over digital platforms that serve as spaces for public debate and access to information.
They warned that the proposal could facilitate censorship, discourage innovation and investment, and pressure technology companies to prioritise political interests over internationally recognised human rights standards.
The organisations maintained that both bills conflict with provisions of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The coalition urged the leadership of the National Assembly and all lawmakers to:
Immediately withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, the bill requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, and every other pending bill that unjustifiably restricts civic space.
Ensure all future legislation affecting civil society, media freedom and digital rights fully complies with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
Conduct genuine and transparent consultations with civil society organisations, journalists, human rights defenders and other stakeholders before introducing reforms affecting civic freedoms.
Reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional democracy, accountability, transparency, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The coalition further argued that international assistance remains critical to the work of many Nigerian civil society organisations, supporting human rights monitoring, anti-corruption advocacy, humanitarian interventions, election observation and public interest litigation, insisting such support should not be treated as evidence of foreign interference.
The statement was endorsed by 90 organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Connected Development (CODE), Media Rights Agenda, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Yiaga Africa and the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, among others.
