Senate Advances Bill for Stricter NGO Oversight in Nigeria

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate moved to tighten oversight of foreign aid and donor-funded interventions by advancing a bill aimed at subjecting non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor agencies, and sub-national governments to stricter regulations. Sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe North, the bill passed its second reading amid concerns over accountability gaps and national security risks associated with the current management of foreign grants.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a comprehensive legal framework for coordinating and monitoring foreign assistance, which is currently fragmented across various ministries and agencies. Key provisions include establishing a National Donor Coordination Framework, mandatory registration of donor-funded projects, and public disclosure of funding details.

The bill received strong support from senators, including Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno and Deputy President Senator Barau Jibrin, who emphasized the need for transparency in donor funding. Senator Adamu Aliero also advocated for stricter regulations to prevent misuse of funds.