NGO Regulation Bill is the most dangerous legislation since 1999 — Odinkalu

By Precious Mark

Human rights lawyer and advocate, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has raised alarm over the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Regulation Bill currently before the National Assembly, describing it as “the most dangerous piece of legislation” introduced in Nigeria since the return to civil rule in 1999.

In a video statement circulating on social media on Monday, Odinkalu warned that the bill, which is 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 successful 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 everybody that is not 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 and your mosque, you have to get Abuja’s permission,” he claimed.

“After you’ve raised the money, you have to return them to Abuja for Abuja to tell you what to do with them. And when you’ve done that, only Abuja can help you to do your audits.”

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 the 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 face severe legal sanctions under the proposed framework.

“If they agree to register you… you will have to only hold that license for two years. After those two years, you will have to apply for them to renew your license,” Odinkalu explained.

“If you try to do anything without that license, you’ll be liable to be imprisoned for 18 months, or… a fine of 500,000 Naira.”

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’ve got to understand that this means that there will be no voice of criticism for government. Nobody can tell government anything,” Odinkalu stated, warning that the bureaucracy established by the bill could create opportunities for official corruption.

Calling on Nigerian citizens to participate actively in the upcoming public hearing in Abuja, Odinkalu emphasized that public mobilization could stop the bill from being enacted into law.

“This does not have to be law. This will not be law if you agree that as the citizen, you are the citizen,” he concluded.