•Cites accountability gaps, transparency concerns, national security risks
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday moved to tighten government oversight of billions of naira in foreign aid and donor-funded interventions by advancing a bill that seeks to subject non-governmental organisations (NGOs), donor agencies and sub-national governments to a more robust regulatory framework.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe North), scaled second reading after lawmakers raised concerns over accountability gaps, financial transparency and potential national security risks arising from the current system of managing foreign grants and humanitarian assistance.
If enacted, the bill will establish a comprehensive legal framework for coordinating, monitoring and integrating all foreign assistance into Nigeria’s fiscal and development planning system.
