By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have issued an open letter to the National Assembly demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034).
The joint petition, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, warns that the legislation is unconstitutional, unlawful, and designed to severely restrict civic engagement, independent media operations, and non-governmental activities. The letter was signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and NGE General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh.
Key Objections Raised by SERAP and NGE
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State Control Framework: Although introduced under the banner of transparency, the groups argue the bill establishes an extensive executive control regime over civil society organizations (CSOs), media outlets, religious bodies, labor unions, and research institutes receiving foreign grants.
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Creation of the FARC Commission: The bill proposes establishing the Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC), granting it powers to compel financial disclosures, inspect internal records, investigate non-governmental bodies, and suspend operating licenses.
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Severe Penalties and Fines: The proposed framework introduces minimum fines of ₦20 million for non-compliant organizations, mandatory registration, potential license revocations, and imprisonment risks for individuals.
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Duplication of Existing Agencies: SERAP and NGE emphasized that existing regulatory institutions—including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML)—already oversee corporate registrations, tax compliance, and anti-money laundering frameworks.
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Vague Legal Terminology: The groups faulted undefined phrases within the bill such as “foreign aid”, “national priorities”, and “public interest”, cautioning that subjective wording creates room for selective and arbitrary enforcement.
“Although the Bill is presented in the guise of promoting transparency, it would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance… 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.”
— Joint Statement by SERAP & NGE
