Nigerian Senate Proposes Bill to Regulate Foreign Aid

The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns regarding the intentions behind foreign financial donations entering the country through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs). A bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Regulation, Coordination, Transparency and Disclosure of Foreign Aid, Grants and Donations in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2026” passed its second reading on Wednesday.

Sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, the bill aims to regulate foreign aid operations and establish a national database for tracking donations. It proposes mandatory registration of all foreign aid, integration of donor-funded projects into the national budget, and public disclosure of funding agreements and project outcomes.

Senator Dankwambo emphasized the need for scrutiny in Nigeria's foreign aid system, citing issues with project alignment with national priorities. Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed these concerns, particularly in light of Nigeria's security challenges.