Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency (Est.) Bill

What Is This Bill?

The Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency (Est.) Bill (HB. 941) is Nigeria’s proposed legislative framework to establish a new federal agency to supervise, register, coordinate, and monitor all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) operating in Nigeria. Sponsored by Hon. Sada Soli in the 10th National Assembly (2024), the Bill proposes mandatory biennial registration for all civil society organisations national and international as a condition for lawful operation in Nigeria.

Who Does It Target?

All registered and unregistered NGOs, CSOs, and non-profit associations operating in Nigeria national and international Faith-based organisations, foundations, and civil society networks Foreign donor organisations and development partners funding civil society activities in Nigeria Officers, directors, and members of NGO and CSO governing boards Media and advocacy organisations functioning as non-governmental entities

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Establish a dedicated federal Agency to supervise, coordinate, register, and monitor all NGO and CSO activities in Nigeria Create a centralised national register of all NGOs and CSOs operating in the country Promote transparency and accountability in the funding and operational activities of civil society organisations Ensure that NGO and CSO activities are aligned with Nigeria’s national development objectives Prevent unlawful foreign sponsorship of organisations deemed to act against the interests of the Nigerian state

Key Features

Establishment of Agency: Creates a new federal Agency tasked with supervising, coordinating, and monitoring all NGOs and CSOs in Nigeria, and maintaining a central register of all such organisations Mandatory Registration: All NGOs and CSOs national and international must register with the Agency, pay prescribed fees, and renew their registration certificate every 24 months National Interest Clause: The Agency has discretionary power to refuse or cancel registration if it determines an organisation’s activities are contrary to “national interest” a term left undefined in the Bill Funding Disclosure: NGOs and CSOs are required to disclose all sources of funding, including foreign donors, target beneficiaries, estimated duration of activities, and anticipated programmes Criminal Penalties: Individuals who violate the Act face up to 18 months imprisonment or a significant fine; convicted persons are barred from holding office in any CSO for 10 years Asset Forfeiture: Assets acquired by NGOs/CSOs using donor funds are deemed property of the Nigerian people and must be surrendered to government upon discontinuation of operations

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives (2024); referred to the House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners Civil Society Response: Over 180 CSOs have participated in past public hearings opposing the Bill; petitions, protests, and memoranda have been submitted to the National Assembly urging its withdrawal Existing Regulation: NGOs are already regulated under CAMA, the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU. Critics argue the proposed Agency duplicates existing oversight mechanisms International Concerns: Amnesty International, NNNGO, and international human rights bodies have stated the Bill is incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders Civic Space Rating: Nigeria’s civic space is rated “Obstructed” by the CIVICUS Monitor; civil society warns the Bill would further restrict the operating environment

How to Access

NGOs & CSOs: Monitor bill progress via PLAC Bills Track (placbillstrack.org); submit memoranda or engage through umbrella bodies such as NNNGO (nnngo.org) Development Partners: Consult with NNNGO and legal advisers on potential compliance obligations; engage Nigerian civil society coalitions on advocacy positions Advocates & Legal Teams: Engage the House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners; participate in scheduled public hearings Constitutional Recourse: Rights under Sections 39 & 40 of the 1999 Constitution; African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Cap. 10, LFN 1990); UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders 1998 Contact: House Committee on Civil Society Organisations & Development Partners: nassnigeria.gov.ng | NNNGO: nnngo.org | PLAC: placng.org

Important Terms

National Interest Clause: An undefined term granting the Agency broad discretion to refuse, cancel, or suspend NGO registration on grounds that activities are contrary to “national interest” Mandatory Biennial Re-Registration: All NGOs/CSOs must renew registration every 24 months; the Agency may deny renewal without defined criteria, creating a recurring compliance risk Asset Forfeiture Provision: Assets of discontinued NGOs/CSOs acquired with donor funds are deemed property of the Nigerian people and transferred to government, irrespective of donor intent Impact & Key Concerns Nigeria hosts thousands of NGOs and CSOs active across health, education, human rights, democracy, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation many filling critical gaps in government service delivery Civil society has been pivotal to Nigeria’s democratic development from pro-democracy campaigns against military rule to electoral reform, voter education, and freedom of information advocacy The Bill’s undefined “national interest” clause and broad discretionary powers raise serious concerns about selective targeting of organisations critical of government policy

Official Resources

Bills Track: placbillstrack.org | NNNGO: nnngo.org | PLAC: placng.org | House of Representatives: nassnigeria.gov.ng Bill Document: HB. 941 Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency (Est.) Bill 2024 available via National Assembly Contact: House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja Summary prepared using the Bill Summary Template | Sources: HB. 941 (10th National Assembly), PLAC, NNNGO, Parliament Reports, CIVICUS Monitor, Amnesty International, PIA 2021 | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency Bill, when enacted, would operate under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (Part F — Incorporated Trustees), the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) framework, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. It aligns with the FATF Recommendation 8 on nonprofit organisations, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on freedom of association, and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.