Catholic Bishops Oppose Foreign Aid Regulation Bill

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has opposed the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill 2026, urging the National Assembly and Federal Government to halt the process of making it law.

The bishops said the legislation could negatively affect churches, mosques, schools and humanitarian organisations providing assistance to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.

Their position was contained in a communiqué issued after the CBCN’s Second Plenary Meeting, held from September 10 to 18 at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State.

The communiqué was signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, and Conference Secretary, Bishop Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese.

The bishops expressed concern about provisions requiring organisations receiving foreign aid to register and operate under government supervision. They argued that authorities could have broad discretion to deny registration or refuse renewal where an organisation’s activities are considered not to be in the national interest.

According to the Conference, such provisions could create additional bureaucracy and increase government control over organisations already subject to existing legal regulations.

The bishops noted that incorporated trustees, including churches, mosques, religious bodies and humanitarian organisations, are already regulated by the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act and other laws.

They therefore urged lawmakers and the Federal Government to reconsider the legislation, citing the need to protect freedom of association, religion, thought and conscience.

Beyond the foreign aid bill, the bishops raised concerns about Nigeria’s security and economic conditions, highlighting insecurity, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, poverty and poor infrastructure.

They called for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and accountability for perpetrators of violence. They also urged government to create conditions that would allow internally displaced persons to return safely to their communities.

On the economy, the bishops called for more employment opportunities, support for local businesses and policies capable of reducing financial pressure on poor Nigerian families.

The bishops called for responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence as political activities increase ahead of the elections.

They urged Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious divisions and work towards a peaceful society centred on human dignity, accountability and the common good.