Civil society warns against laws restricting free speech and civic space.

A coalition of more than Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on the National Assembly to withdraw what it described as controversial bills currently before lawmakers, warning that the proposed legislation poses a threat to civic freedom, constitutionalism and the promotion of human rights in Nigeria.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Mr. Isa Sanusi, alongside five other leaders of civil society organisations, rejected the provisions of the Foreign Aids Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure Bill, 2026, which is currently before the Senate.
The Senate recently commenced legislative consideration of two bills: the Foreign Aids Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure Bill, 2026 and a bill seeking to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 to require all social media platforms operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices within the country.
Mr. Sanusi described the proposed bills as a threat to civic freedom, democratic values, public participation and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. He maintained that the legislation could undermine the country’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Auwal Rafsanjani, criticised what he described as attempts to introduce laws that would restrict civic space, threaten freedom of expression, weaken human rights protections and limit democratic participation, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
Rafsanjani urged lawmakers to ensure that any legislation affecting civil society organisations, digital rights groups, media freedom and civic participation complies with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
In her remarks, the Country Manager and Director of Global Rights Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Aweda, appealed to senators and members of the House of Representatives to engage in genuine and transparent consultations with civil society organisations, human rights defenders, digital rights groups and development partners before passing reforms that could affect civic freedoms.
She further called on the National Assembly to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, transparency, the rule of law and respect for human rights.