Foreign Aid Bill threatens civil society independence, HRW tells National Assembly

ABUJA — Human Rights Watch, HRW, has urged the National Assembly to reject provisions in the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, warning that the legislation could undermine the independence of civil society organisations and further shrink civic space in Nigeria.

The rights organisation said although transparency and accountability in the management of foreign aid, grants and donations were legitimate objectives, the proposed regulatory framework could give government authorities excessive influence over the funding and activities of independent organisations.“Legislation that seeks to align foreign funding with government priorities risks expanding government control over independent civil society and suppressing dissent.”