The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has honoured the Ford Foundation for its sustained contributions to advancing human rights in Nigeria, highlighting a long-standing partnership that has strengthened access to justice and institutional capacity.
At a ceremony held on Friday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the NHRC presented an Award of Appreciation to the Foundation in recognition of its enduring support.
The award was received by the Foundation’s Regional Director for West Africa, ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, during a high-level engagement with directors and senior officials of the Commission.
Speaking at the event, the NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, commended the Foundation’s consistent backing, particularly in initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice and strengthening the Commission’s operational capacity. He noted that given the scale and complexity of human rights challenges in Nigeria, the Commission cannot operate in isolation.
Ojukwu emphasised that sustained collaboration with development partners is essential to translating human rights commitments into concrete outcomes for citizens.
In her remarks, Aniagolu-Okoye described the recognition as significant and encouraging, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to promoting human rights. She stressed that beyond raising awareness, citizens must be supported to seek redress when their rights are violated.
She cautioned that awareness alone is insufficient without effective enforcement mechanisms, noting that gaps between knowledge of rights and actual access to justice could erode public trust and limit the impact of human rights interventions.
“Trust in institutions grows when people experience fairness and accessibility in justice delivery,” she said, underscoring the need to strengthen such systems for sustainable protection of rights.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the Commission and its partners in addressing evolving human rights challenges nationwide.
In a vote of thanks, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Commission, Hilary Ogbonna, expressed appreciation for the Foundation’s enduring partnership. He cited key institutional advancements, including the MOVE project and the Commission’s dashboard system, noting that several initiatives benefitted from the Foundation’s early support.
Ogbonna further commended the leadership of the Executive Secretary and the dedication of the Commission’s directors, adding that their commitment has sustained progress despite operational constraints. He also acknowledged the media as a critical stakeholder in the human rights ecosystem, describing it as the “fourth estate” that amplifies and documents rights issues.
The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the NHRC and its partners to strengthening justice delivery systems and enhancing the protection of human rights across Nigeria.
