Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has raised the alarm over the proposed NGO Regulation Bill before the National Assembly, describing it as the “most dangerous piece of legislation” to be considered since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
Odinkalu, who spoke in a video on the proposed legislation, said the bill had already passed first and second readings and was now at the committee stage, with a public hearing expected to be organised by the House of Representatives Committee on NGOs.
He urged Nigerians to pay close attention to the bill, warning that its implications could extend far beyond non-governmental organisations to religious bodies, educational institutions, humanitarian groups, community associations and other non-state organisations.
“Let me be clear, this is the most dangerous piece of legislation that has come for consideration in the National Assembly since the return to civil rule in 1999,” Odinkalu said.
According to him, the proposed legislation would give the Federal Government extensive control over the activities and finances of organisations operating outside government.
He alleged that the bill would require organisations to obtain government clearance before raising funds and would subject the use of such funds to regulatory approval.
Odinkalu argued that the proposed framework could affect churches, mosques, schools, universities, hospitals and humanitarian organisations, as well as community-based financial arrangements such as isusu.
He also warned that religious organisations that raise funds to support members of their communities could be subjected to extensive government regulation under the proposed law.
“The churches will be out of business. The mosques will be endangered,” he said, while urging Nigerians to understand the implications of the legislation.
Odinkalu further expressed concern over what he described as the potential impact of the bill on freedom of association and criticism of government.
He argued that if organisations and associations were required to obtain and periodically renew government licences to operate, authorities could effectively determine which groups were allowed to function.
According to him, the proposed legislation would require organisations to obtain a licence to operate for two years, after which they would have to seek renewal.
He claimed that failure to obtain or renew such a licence could attract imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine of N500,000.
Odinkalu warned that such provisions could create an environment in which organisations would be reluctant to criticise government for fear of losing their operating licences.
“This means that there’ll be no voice of criticism for government. Nobody can tell government anything,” he said.
The lawyer also argued that the proposed regulatory framework could affect student associations, religious groups and other forms of organised civic activity across the country.
He described the bill’s consequences as “totalitarian”, insisting that the legislation could undermine the ability of citizens to organise independently of government.
Odinkalu said the issue should not be viewed solely as a matter concerning NGOs, stressing that Nigerians generally should be concerned about legislation that could expand government control over civic organisations.
“This is the most dangerous piece of legislation that’s been considered in our country to date, in the past 20 years,” he said.
He, however, maintained that the bill could still be stopped through public opposition, urging citizens to engage their lawmakers and make their concerns known before the legislative process is concluded.
“But you can do something about it,” Odinkalu said. “This does not have to be law.”
He added that Nigerians had the power to demand that lawmakers reject the proposed legislation, stressing that its passage was not inevitable.
“This will not be law if you agree that as the citizen you have the power to make them stop,” he said.
