PMADIF Rejects Foreign Aid Regulation Bill

…Demands Withdrawal of SB. 1034

By Sunday Oladapo

The Prof. Mercy Ade-Davies International Foundation (PMADIF) has rejected the proposed Foreign Aid (Regulation, Coordination, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026, urging the National Assembly to withdraw or substantially review the legislation.

The foundation said the bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, representing Gombe North, could have far-reaching implications for civil society organisations, humanitarian agencies, foundations, development partners and charitable institutions if passed in its present form.

The bill, known as SB. 1034, passed second reading in the Senate on July 22, 2026, and is currently undergoing the legislative process.

In a statement signed by its President and Founder, Prof. Mercy Adesanya-Davies, PMADIF said it supports transparency and accountability in the management of foreign funds but opposed what it described as excessive governmental control over legitimate civil-society activities.

The foundation’s position was summed up in its declaration: “Transparency, yes — control, no.”
PMADIF argued that Nigeria already has institutions responsible for financial reporting, anti-money-laundering compliance, corporate registration, taxation, financial intelligence and regulation of non-governmental organisations.

It therefore questioned the need to establish another regulatory framework without first demonstrating a clear gap in the existing system.

According to the foundation, excessive regulation could increase bureaucracy and compliance costs while creating opportunities for administrative interference, intimidation and political victimisation of lawful organisations.

PMADIF also warned that an overly restrictive regime could discourage international donors and development partners from supporting programmes in Nigeria.

It noted that foreign-backed interventions have contributed to healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, agriculture, humanitarian relief, women’s empowerment, youth development, community development and social protection.

While acknowledging legitimate national-security concerns over money laundering, terrorism financing and covert foreign political activities, the foundation said such offences should be investigated and prosecuted through existing competent institutions rather than placing all foreign-funded organisations under suspicion.
“National security must never become a blank cheque for unlimited governmental intervention in civil society,” the statement said.

PMADIF called for a clear distinction between legitimate foreign funding and illegal foreign interference, stressing that the two should not be treated as synonymous.

The foundation demanded that the Senate suspend further consideration of SB. 1034 and embark on broad consultations with civil-society organisations, foundations, humanitarian agencies, development partners, legal experts and affected communities.

It also called for clause-by-clause public scrutiny of the bill, safeguards against regulatory duplication, protection for legitimate foreign donations and guarantees for the independence of civil-society organisations.

According to PMADIF, any future legislation should ensure that regulatory powers cannot be used to silence, discriminate against, harass or politically victimise lawful NGOs, foundations and humanitarian organisations.

The foundation maintained that it was not opposed to accountability, insisting that donor funds should be transparently sourced, administered and utilised for their declared purposes.

It, however, warned against what it described as “disproportionate governmental control disguised as financial regulation.”

PMADIF appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate, the House of Representatives and other stakeholders to ensure that efforts to combat financial crimes and illicit foreign interference do not undermine humanitarian, developmental and democratic institutions.

The foundation concluded by calling for the rejection of SB. 1034 in its present form, declaring: “Transparency without tyranny. Accountability without intimidation. Security without suppression. Development without bureaucratic obstruction.”