NASS Urged to Halt ‘Draconian’ Foreign Aid Bill, Investigate ₦1.3bn Fictitious Budget Allocation

The National Assembly is facing intense scrutiny following calls by a prominent civil society organization to stop the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034).

The Porb Justice and Development Initiative (PJDI) warned on Monday that the bill, in its current form, threatens Nigeria’s democratic civic space and independent media under the guise of financial regulation.

Instead of creating overlapping regulatory agencies, the group challenged federal lawmakers to turn their oversight inward. They pointed to a glaring N1.3 billion budget scandal involving an allegedly fictitious government entity in the 2026 federal budget.

Over-Regulation Threatens Democratic Freedoms

In a statement signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Philip O. Orbih, PJDI acknowledged the federal government’s legitimate duty to curb money laundering and terrorism financing. However, the group argued that these security measures must not be used to choke legitimate civic institutions.

PORB Justice and Development Initiative argues that Nigeria already boasts an extensive network of financial intelligence and regulatory bodies, such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), among others.

“The National Assembly must establish what genuine regulatory gap requires the creation of yet another agency,” Orbih stated. He urged parliament to withdraw the bill immediately and pursue targeted reforms through existing legal frameworks rather than passing a blanket, restrictive law.

The ₦1.3 Billion Budget Anomaly

Shifting the focus to legislative accountability, PJDI raised alarms over how unverified entities infiltrate national spending plans.

Specifically, the group questioned the inclusion of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 federal budget. The mysterious council was reportedly allocated roughly ₦1.3 billion despite serious doubts surrounding its legal existence and statutory mandate.

PJDI emphasized that true accountability cannot operate as a one-way street, insisting that before the legislature attempts to tighten the noose on civil society funding, it must clean its own house.

“Nigeria does not necessarily need more agencies,” Orbih concluded. “Nigeria needs stronger institutions, effective legislative oversight, transparent budgeting, and consequences when public systems fail.”

The organization is calling for a sweeping review of the National Assembly’s appropriation procedures, demanding that every entity funded by taxpayers be tied to a lawful establishing instrument, an identifiable supervisory authority, and fully accountable public officers.