Group rejects proposed NGO regulation bill, urges NASS to withdraw legislation

The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION) has called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the proposed NGO Regulation Bill, warning that the legislation could undermine civic freedoms and weaken the role of civil society in Nigeria’s democratic development.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group said it “rejects in its totality” the proposed bill, arguing that rather than strengthening governance, it would impose unnecessary restrictions on the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and shrink Nigeria’s civic space.

According to the organisation, civil society groups have for decades made significant contributions to national development through humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, climate action, women’s and youth empowerment, disaster response, human rights advocacy, electoral integrity, and the promotion of accountability and good governance.

MOTION expressed concern that the proposed legislation could create additional barriers to the registration, governance, funding, and advocacy activities of NGOs, discouraging citizen participation and weakening public oversight of government institutions.

“The proposed bill risks eroding the independence that enables civil society to effectively serve the Nigerian people,” the statement said, adding that restrictive regulations could undermine democratic governance and public accountability.

The organisation argued that Nigeria already has sufficient regulatory mechanisms governing civil society organisations, including registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), financial reporting obligations, tax compliance requirements, anti-money laundering regulations, and donor accountability standards.

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It maintained that the effective enforcement of existing laws, rather than the introduction of new legislation, would better address concerns relating to transparency and accountability within the sector.

MOTION also cited constitutional and international legal protections for civic freedoms, noting that Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and association. It further referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The group urged the National Assembly to withdraw the bill and instead engage in broad and transparent consultations with civil society organisations, development partners, and citizens before considering any reforms affecting the sector.

Among its recommendations, MOTION called on lawmakers to protect constitutional guarantees of freedom of association, expression, and assembly; promote an enabling environment for civil society organisations to operate freely and responsibly; and strengthen existing regulatory frameworks instead of introducing new restrictions.

The organisation stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges require stronger collaboration between government and civil society, warning that measures perceived as restrictive could discourage local philanthropy, volunteerism, and community participation.

“A vibrant civil society is a cornerstone of democracy and accountable governance,” the statement said, adding that Nigeria’s development aspirations depend on creating an environment where citizens and organisations can operate freely, responsibly, and without undue interference.