Prominent human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu has labeled the NGO Regulation Bill currently under review by the National Assembly as the most perilous legislative proposal in Nigeria since the restoration of democracy in 1999. The bill, which has cleared its initial and secondary legislative hurdles, is currently being examined by the House Committee on NGOs ahead of an upcoming public hearing in Abuja.
Addressing the issue in Abuja, Odinkalu argued that the legislation intends to centralize control of non-governmental activities under the Federal Government. He cautioned that this could threaten civil liberties across various sectors, including religious institutions, educational establishments, hospitals, and humanitarian organizations. According to the lawyer, the bill’s scope is incredibly broad, encompassing any entity not directly operated by the government.
Odinkalu specifically criticized requirements that would mandate federal oversight for fundraising activities. He asserted that groups, including mosques and churches, would need official permission from Abuja to collect funds and to distribute them, effectively subjecting local community support systems to federal bureaucratic interference. Furthermore, the bill introduces a licensing regime where organizations must obtain and periodically renew federal authorization. Failure to comply with these rules could result in significant fines or jail time for members of such associations.
Finally, the activist warned that the bill is designed to stifle dissent and make holding the government accountable nearly impossible. He urged Nigerians to actively oppose the legislation, arguing that civic engagement remains the only way to prevent it from becoming law.
