Activist Mahdi Shehu Warns NGO Bill Could Hit Mosques, Churches, Student Unions
Public affairs commentator and activist Mahdi Shehu has expressed concern over the proposed Nigerian NGO Regulation Bill before the National Assembly, warning that, if enacted, it could significantly expand government oversight of a wide range of civic, religious, and community organisations across the country.
In a video message obtained and translated from Hausa to English by PRNigeria, Shehu claimed the bill, which he described as nearing its final legislative stages, could extend beyond registered non-governmental organisations to cover religious institutions, schools, student unions, market associations, transport unions, cooperative societies and other informal community groups.
According to him, the proposed legislation could introduce licensing, financial reporting and regulatory requirements that would fundamentally alter how many organisations operate.
“If this bill becomes law, it will affect almost every group we know. I’m talking about mosques, churches, schools, student unions, drivers’ unions, market associations, even small groups like adashe (rotational savings groups),” he said.
Shehu particularly expressed concern about what he described as provisions affecting religious organisations, arguing that the bill could require mosques, churches and faith-based bodies to obtain government approval before collecting donations or contributions from members.
Under his interpretation of the proposed legislation, affected organisations would also be expected to account for funds received and comply with regulatory oversight of their use.
“For example, a mosque or church won’t just be able to take weekly contributions like we normally do. They will have to write to the government for approval. After collecting the money, they will also have to report how much came in, and the government will decide what the money should be used for,” he alleged.
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Shehu further claimed that organisations covered by the bill could be required to renew their registration every two years and notify the government before acquiring property or major assets.
The activist warned that the bill’s scope could extend to informal associations and digital communities, including WhatsApp and Facebook groups, if they fall within the legislation’s definition of regulated organisations.
He described the proposal as unprecedented, saying he had not encountered similar regulatory provisions in Nigeria’s modern democratic history.
“Honestly, I haven’t seen anything like this since colonial times. What is even more worrying is that it could also cover radio, television, and even WhatsApp and Facebook groups,” he said.
Shehu urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to the proposed legislation and participate more actively in the legislative process.
Drawing a comparison with the recent debate over the Tax Reform legislation, he argued that inadequate public engagement allowed significant policy changes to proceed without sufficient scrutiny.
“I think we need to pay attention to this now. We didn’t speak up enough on the Tax Bill. If we let this one pass, it will affect the way we organise and speak as citizens,” he cautioned.
The proposed NGO Regulation Bill has previously sparked debate among civil society organisations, with some stakeholders concerned that its regulatory provisions could affect the operational independence of non-governmental organisations and community groups.
As of the time of filing this report, the National Assembly had not issued an official statement responding to Shehu’s specific claims about the bill’s scope and implications.
PRNigeria could not independently verify all the activist’s interpretations and will continue to monitor the legislative process, including by seeking clarification from the National Assembly and other relevant authorities on the contents and current status of the proposed legislation.
