By Matthew Otabe
A broad coalition of Nigerian, African and international civil society organisations has sounded the alarm over what it describes as an escalating assault on civic freedoms in Nigeria, warning that a series of controversial bills before the National Assembly could fundamentally alter the country’s democratic landscape.
At a joint press conference on protecting civic space, constitutional freedoms and democratic governance, more than 90 human rights and civil society organisations urged lawmakers to reject proposed legislation they say would expand executive control, weaken independent institutions and restrict citizens’ constitutional rights.
The coalition argued that the proposed laws are not isolated policy initiatives but part of a broader trend of shrinking civic space under the current administration.
Growing concerns over civic freedoms
According to the organisations, Nigeria is experiencing one of the most challenging periods for civil liberties since the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
They alleged that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, authorities have increasingly relied on restrictive legislation, politically motivated prosecutions, arbitrary arrests, judicial harassment and intimidation to silence journalists, activists, bloggers, media organisations and civil society groups.
Among the incidents cited were the continued prosecution of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, legal actions involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and the application of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists and government critics.
The coalition also referenced findings by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which reportedly documented 91 cases of journalists being arrested, attacked or harassed across 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the first three years of the current administration.
They warned that such developments signal an increasingly hostile environment for democratic participation and public accountability.
Foreign Aid Bill draws sharp criticism
At the centre of the coalition’s concerns is the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034).
While acknowledging that promoting transparency and accountability in foreign assistance is a legitimate policy objective, the organisations argued that the bill goes far beyond financial oversight.
According to the coalition, the legislation would establish a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission with extensive powers to register organisations, conduct inspections and audits, demand information, impose sanctions and determine compliance with government-defined national priorities.
The groups argued that these functions already fall within the responsibilities of existing agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML).
They warned that creating another regulatory body with broad discretionary powers could expose civil society organisations to political interference while duplicating existing oversight mechanisms.
The organisations further expressed concern over provisions requiring all recipients of foreign assistance to register within 30 days, comply with extensive disclosure requirements and submit annual reports regardless of the size or nature of the funding received.
They argued that such measures could discourage legitimate humanitarian work, human rights advocacy, anti-corruption campaigns, election observation, legal aid and public interest litigation.
Digital regulation sparks fears of censorship
The coalition also criticised proposed legislation seeking to compel social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria as a condition for operating in the country.
Although supporters of the proposal argue that it would improve regulatory compliance and accountability, the organisations contend that the measure could significantly increase government leverage over digital platforms that facilitate public debate and civic engagement.
According to the coalition, conditioning market access on physical establishment could create avenues for censorship, restrict access to information, discourage investment and pressure technology companies to prioritise political demands over internationally recognised human rights standards.
Constitutional and international obligations
The organisations maintained that both the Foreign Aid Bill and the proposed social media legislation are inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international legal commitments.
They pointed to Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as Section 22, which recognises the role of the media in holding government accountable.
The coalition also cited Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
According to the organisations, international human rights standards require that any restriction on fundamental freedoms must satisfy the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and legitimate purpose—tests they argue the pending bills fail to meet.
They further noted that international judicial bodies have consistently rejected blanket restrictions on organisations receiving foreign funding, stressing that transparency objectives must not become instruments for suppressing independent civil society.
2027 elections heighten concerns
The coalition said the timing of the proposed legislation is particularly significant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Rather than fostering an open political environment, the organisations warned that the bills could create a climate of fear, encourage self-censorship and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
They argued that investigative journalism, independent advocacy and civic participation are essential pillars of democratic governance rather than threats to national security.
According to the coalition, shrinking civic space ahead of elections could weaken transparency, reduce public scrutiny and limit meaningful citizen participation in the electoral process.
Appeal to lawmakers
The organisations called on the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, the proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to establish offices in Nigeria and other bills they believe unjustifiably restrict civic freedoms.
They also urged lawmakers to ensure that future legislation affecting civil society, digital rights and media freedom complies fully with the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
In addition, the coalition advocated broader consultations with journalists, human rights defenders, professional associations, development partners and other stakeholders before introducing reforms affecting civic participation.
A defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy
The coalition concluded that the National Assembly faces a critical constitutional choice: enact laws that strengthen executive authority at the expense of civic freedoms or reinforce democratic institutions by protecting constitutional rights and public participation.
For the signatories—including ActionAid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, SERAP, BudgIT, Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Media Rights Agenda, Global Rights, CLEEN Foundation, CISLAC, Connected Development (CODE), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), and dozens of other organisations—the outcome of the legislative process will serve as an important indicator of Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law as the country moves closer to another electoral cycle.
