By Precious Mark
Human rights lawyer and advocate Professor Chidi Odinkalu has raised an alarm over the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Regulation Bill currently before the National Assembly.
In a video statement circulated on social media on Monday, Odinkalu warned that the bill, currently at the committee stage in the House of Representatives, carries totalitarian consequences for the country’s civic space, religious bodies, educational institutions, and informal community groups.
According to Odinkalu, the House Committee on NGOs is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed law later this month following its passage through first and second readings.
Detailing the provisions of the proposed framework, the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asserted that the legislation extends far beyond traditional non-profits to encompass virtually every non-state entity operating in Nigeria.
“It covers the activities of every entity and body that is not the government. It affects churches, mosques, schools, universities, hospitals, everything as well as humanitarian operations wherever they are taking place in the country,” Odinkalu said.
He alleged that under the proposed law, all non-governmental organizations, religious assemblies, student bodies, and community-based organizations would be required to obtain operational clearance from federal authorities in Abuja before raising or disbursing funds.
“Before you can raise funds in your church or mosque, you have to get permission from Abuja. After you’ve raised the money, you have to report back so Abuja can tell you what to do with it. And once that is done, only Abuja can assist you with your audits,” he claimed.
Odinkalu argued that even informal community-based micro-finance networks such as traditional revolving credit groups (isusu) operated in rural communities as well as established Islamic organizations like the Ahmadiyya Movement and NASFAT, would fall under this regulatory umbrella.
Highlighting the structural requirements outlined in the draft bill, Odinkalu stated that operating licenses issued to registered entities would expire every two years, requiring mandatory renewal by federal regulators. Entities or individuals operating without valid registration would face severe legal sanctions.
“If they agree to register you, you will hold that license for only two years. After those two years, you must apply to renew it. If you attempt to operate without that license, you will be liable to 18 months’ imprisonment or a fine of 500,000 Naira,” he explained.
The rights advocate cautioned that the overarching intent of the legislation is to stifle public dissent, eliminate critical oversight, and centralize political control over community resources.
“As a citizen, you have to understand that this means there will be no voice of criticism against the government. Nobody will be able to challenge the government,” Odinkalu stated, warning that the bureaucracy established by the bill could create wide avenues for official corruption.
Calling on Nigerian citizens to participate actively in the upcoming public hearing in Abuja, Odinkalu emphasized that public mobilization could prevent the bill from being enacted into law.
“This does not have to become law. This will not become law if citizens stand up and exercise their rights,” he concluded.