The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have called on the National Assembly to reject the proposed Foreign Aid Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure Bill, 2026, warning that it could undermine civic space, media freedom and democratic participation.
The organisations made the call in a joint open letter dated August 29, 2026, addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The groups described the bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, as unnecessary, unconstitutional and capable of giving the government excessive control over civil society organisations, independent media, religious bodies and private entities receiving foreign assistance.
SERAP and the NGE argued that existing agencies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission, the EFCC, SCUML, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the Nigeria Revenue Service, already have statutory powers to oversee financial reporting, corporate registration, taxation and anti-corruption matters.
They urged lawmakers to withdraw and reject the bill and instead focus on legislation that promotes transparency, accountability, media freedom and democratic participation.
Source: Channels