Nigerian lawmakers pass bill to compel NGOs to disclose foreign donors for second reading

Nigeria's Senate has advanced a bill that would mandate Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating within the country to register all foreign aid and donor-funded projects with the government. The bill successfully passed its second reading during a plenary session, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio announcing the outcome following a majority voice vote.

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billions of naira in foreign aid are channeled to NGOs operating in Nigeria without adequate scrutiny of the sources of the funds or the purposes for which they are donated.

Following its passage, the bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committees on National Planning and Economic Development and Finance. These committees are tasked with conducting a public hearing and are expected to submit their reports within four weeks. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, seeks to establish a National Donor Coordination Framework. It proposes making the registration of all donor-funded projects compulsory and creating a national database for foreign assistance.

Senator Dankwambo, who previously served as the Accountant-General of the Federation, argued that billions of naira in foreign aid flow into Nigeria through NGOs without adequate scrutiny. He highlighted that this lack of oversight presents significant national security risks and undermines public accountability. Dankwambo pointed out that despite Nigeria being a major recipient of international grants and assistance, its foreign aid management system remains largely opaque, with projects often implemented outside the national budget, leading to duplication and weak accountability.

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the lack of oversight poses serious national security risks and undermines public accountability.

The bill also aims to integrate donor-funded interventions into government budgets and mandates the public disclosure of funding sources and project implementation details. Sanctions are proposed for the diversion, misuse, or non-registration of donor funds. Proponents believe the legislation will strengthen oversight of foreign aid received by NGOs, promoting greater transparency and accountability in their operations.

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the country’s foreign aid management system remains largely opaque.