FOREIGN AID BILL: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD PROTECT CIVIC SPACE AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING OVERSIGHT — PJDI

The Porb Justice and Development Initiative (PJDI) has followed with concern the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034) currently before the National Assembly.

PJDI recognizes government's legitimate responsibility to ensure financial transparency and prevent money laundering, terrorism financing and other unlawful activities. However, these objectives must not become justification for excessive governmental control of civil society, independent media and other legitimate civic institutions. Nigeria already has institutions including the CAC, EFCC, NFIU, SCUML and FIRS performing significant regulatory and financial oversight functions. The National Assembly must therefore establish what genuine regulatory gap requires the creation of yet another agency.

PJDI urges the National Assembly to withdraw the Bill in its present form and strengthen existing regulatory and oversight institutions. Any genuine gaps in the regulation of foreign funding can be addressed through targeted reforms to existing laws, while safeguarding constitutional freedoms of expression and association and Nigeria's international human rights obligations.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST ALSO LOOK INWARD

The controversy presents an opportunity for the National Assembly to purge itself institutionally and refocus on its core constitutional responsibilities of legislation, representation and oversight, particularly in the management and appropriation of public resources.

Recent revelations concerning purported or fictitious federal agencies are deeply troubling. Of particular concern is the reported appearance of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 federal budget with approximately ₦1.3 billion, despite serious questions concerning its legal existence. Reports of another allegedly fictitious government body make the issue even more disturbing.

This raises fundamental accountability questions: How does a fictitious or improperly constituted agency enter the federal budget and survive legislative scrutiny? Who verifies the legal existence and mandate of agencies before public funds are appropriated to them?

PJDI calls for a comprehensive review of the National Assembly's appropriation and oversight processes. Every entity receiving public funds should be traceable to a lawful instrument establishing it, an identifiable supervisory authority, accountable officers and clearly defined public functions.

Accountability cannot operate in only one direction. Before creating additional institutions to scrutinize civil society, the legislature must demonstrate equal determination to scrutinize government institutions and the expenditure of public resources.

Nigeria does not necessarily need more agencies. Nigeria needs stronger institutions, effective legislative oversight, transparent budgeting and consequences when public systems fail.

Philip O. Orbih
Lawyer, Human Rights Consultant (USIDHR)
Founder & Executive Director
Porb Justice and Development Initiative (PJDI)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: porbjustice.org
Advocacy • Justice • Development