Nigerian National Assembly Faces Lawsuit

The Nigerian Apex Law making bodies, the National Assembly, is facing a lawsuit threat over the passage of the Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, who made the threat, said the proposed legislation is a threat to the civic space, media freedom, and democratic participation.

The organisations asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “immediately reject and withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill 2026 (SB. 1034), as the Bill is unnecessary, unlawful, unconstitutional, and threatens civic space, media freedom, and democratic participation in Nigeria.”

The SERAP and the Guild of Editors made known their position in a letter jointly signed on Saturday, 29th August 2026. The Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, signed on behalf of SERAP, while Onuoha Ukeh, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), signed on behalf of the NGE. The statement was, however, made available to the media on Sunday, 30th August.

The bodies said, “If enacted, the Bill would establish an extensive framework for governmental control over civil society organisations, independent media, religious organisations, and other organisations and private entities receiving foreign assistance.”

The Bill in question is sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, representing Gombe North. The Bill proposes mandatory registration and disclosure requirements and provides for sanctions of an N20m fine as a minimum for civil society organisations and private entities. Other sanctions include suspension or revocation of operational licences.

“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 to challenge it and protect freedom of association, media freedom and civic participation,” they added.

Source: MRA