Analysing the Nigerian Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organizations Agency Bill (HB. 941) against the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

Honourable Sada Soli (APC-House of Representatives) have introduced a bill that would suppress the rights of citizens to claim their freedom of association as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. The title of the Bill, Nigerian Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency Bill (HB 941), presents a comprehensive regulatory framework intended to govern the existence and operation of “Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria. The stated objective of the Bill includes ensuring transparency and accountability (S.7(b)), however the provisions within the document as analysed reveals a fundamental undermining of the constitutional and international right to freedom of association.