Nigeria’s Catholic bishops have raised concerns about proposed legislation that would increase government oversight of organisations receiving foreign funding, warning that the measure could affect churches, humanitarian groups and other independent organisations working with vulnerable communities.
The Foreign Aid (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, known as SB. 1034, passed its second reading in the Senate in July and is now undergoing further consideration. The proposed law would establish a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission to oversee foreign assistance entering Nigeria and introduce additional requirements for registration, disclosure, auditing and compliance.
The bill says its aims are to improve transparency, prevent the misuse of foreign assistance, coordinate development programmes and ensure that foreign-funded activities support Nigeria’s development priorities.
However, human rights organisations and religious leaders have expressed concern about provisions that could give officials broad discretion over organisations whose work includes documenting abuses or criticising government policies.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) joined those concerns following its Second Plenary Meeting in Osun State in September. The bishops called on the National Assembly and federal government to stop the proposed legislation, saying organisations receiving foreign assistance are already subject to regulatory requirements.
One of their main concerns is a provision that could allow authorities to refuse or deny renewal of an organisation’s registration if its activities are considered not to be in the “national interest”. The bishops warned that such wording could give officials excessive discretion over independent organisations.
They also said the proposed framework could add another layer of bureaucracy and increase government control over independent civic organisations.
The issue is particularly important for religious organisations because churches and other faith-based institutions provide extensive humanitarian assistance across Nigeria. They run schools, support displaced families and serve communities affected by terrorism and criminal violence. In some areas where state institutions and security forces have limited reach, religious organisations are among those with a direct presence in affected communities.
These organisations also frequently document attacks against religious communities, including the deaths and abductions of victims, destruction of homes and churches, displacement and the needs of survivors.
Nigeria has faced years of violence involving Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as armed banditry, criminal kidnapping, communal violence and conflicts involving farming and pastoralist communities. Christian communities in northern and central parts of the country have been among those affected, while violence has also harmed Muslim communities and other civilians.
Local churches, humanitarian organisations, journalists and civil society groups are often among the first to record what happens during attacks. Their reports can provide information about incidents in remote areas that may not otherwise be readily available to researchers or international organisations.
Human Rights Watch has also expressed concern about the proposed legislation. The organisation has argued that the requirement for foreign-funded activities to comply with Nigeria’s national development plans and priorities is not clearly defined and could create uncertainty for groups involved in human rights and accountability work.
It has further warned that possible penalties could include financial sanctions, the loss of operating licences and imprisonment.
For organisations monitoring religious freedom, concerns extend beyond the direct impact on groups receiving foreign funding. Information gathered by people working within affected communities is an important part of understanding patterns of persecution and violence.
Researchers cannot independently reach every community affected by Boko Haram attacks, kidnappings or displacement, while international organisations cannot maintain staff in every remote area. Local churches, journalists, humanitarian workers and civil society groups can therefore provide evidence that helps connect individual incidents to wider patterns.
A single kidnapping may initially appear to be an isolated criminal incident. Records of repeated attacks, church destruction, displacement and the killing or abduction of religious leaders can provide a broader picture when such incidents are documented consistently.
Human Rights Watch has warned that broad regulatory powers could also have a chilling effect on civil society organisations that investigate government actions or report abuses. Organisations that depend on foreign funding could become more cautious about the issues they investigate or publish if they believe their funding or ability to operate could be affected.
The debate comes as Nigeria continues to face significant security and religious-freedom challenges. Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active in the north-east, while violence, kidnapping and displacement affect communities in other parts of the country.
The Nigerian government has responsibility for protecting citizens of all faiths and holding those responsible for violence accountable. Independent organisations, meanwhile, play a role in recording attacks, identifying victims, documenting displacement and reporting concerns about the protection of vulnerable communities.
The bishops’ concerns therefore centre not only on the regulation of foreign assistance but also on how the proposed system could affect the ability of independent organisations to carry out their work.
The legislation remains under consideration, and its final provisions and implementation will determine how the proposed regulatory framework affects churches, humanitarian organisations and other civil society groups receiving foreign assistance.
Based on reporting by ICC.
