Civil society advocates in Oyo State have expressed growing concern over the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Bill, warning that its restrictive provisions if signed into law could stifle civic participation and slow down grassroots development efforts across Nigeria.
At a community outreach held at the Pegba Community Hall, Oluwasemiloore Ige, a Digital Rights Ambassador with Women Too Africa, led an awareness campaign on the potential dangers posed by the law.
The event, supported by Civicus and organised in partnership with the Trailblazer Initiative, was part of her project titled ‘Community Advocacy Against the Restrictive Provisions of the NGO Bill in Oyo State’.
The NGO Bill, originally sponsored by Hon Umar Buba Jibril in 2016, gives the Federal Government broad powers to regulate, monitor, and approve the activities of Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country.
Oluwasemiloore, one of the twenty digital rights ambassadors from women too africa representing the Oluyole Local Government Constituency, described the law as a major threat to civic freedom and the effectiveness of NGOs.
‘Sections of the bill that demand multiple registrations, renewal every two years, duplicate approvals for projects, and financial contributions to government commissions will only make our work harder’, she said. ‘NGOs reach the people government cannot reach; this bill will slow down that impact’.
The Executive Director of Trailblazer Nigeria, Dr Dare Adaramoye, also criticised the new law, noting that it would increase bureaucracy and delay emergency responses.
‘The bill places more power in government hands and less in the hands of the people. In emergencies, waiting for government approval before providing aid could cost lives’, he warned.
Pegba Community leader, Alhaji Adewale, commended Oluwasemiloore for bringing the enlightenment campaign to Pegba, however joined other participants in opposing the restrictive provisions.
Attendees engaged in group discussions and signed a community resolution opposing the NGO Bill, calling on the Federal Government to review sections that could hinder NGO operations, reduce donor confidence, and discourage volunteer engagement.
Implications of the NGO Bill
Experts have cautioned that the law could:
- Introduce complex registration and renewal requirements for NGOs;
- Delay humanitarian interventions due to approval bureaucracy;
- Reduce international donor confidence, and
- Shrink civic space by discouraging advocacy and accountability initiatives.
Despite these challenges, Oluwasemiloore reaffirmed her commitment to continue defending civic and digital rights at the community level.
‘Our duty is to protect the civil space and ensure the voices of the people are heard’, she said. ‘We will keep advocating until the government reconsiders these provisions’.
