A broad coalition of lawmakers, government officials and civil society actors has thrown its weight behind proposed legislative reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s human rights framework, as the House of Representatives convened a public hearing on two pivotal bills targeting the mandate and independence of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The hearing focused on the National Human Rights Commission Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2025 and the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, 2024 — measures proponents say could significantly recalibrate institutional safeguards for rights protection nationwide.
Leading advocacy for the reforms was the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, who argued that the Commission’s existing statutory framework no longer adequately addresses evolving human rights challenges.
Ojukwu said the repeal and re-enactment bill would entrench greater operational autonomy, enhance oversight functions and secure sustainable funding for the Commission. Central to the proposal is the establishment of clearly defined funding streams for a National Human Rights Fund, designed to guarantee financial independence and facilitate rapid response to emergencies.
He further disclosed that the bill seeks to formally incorporate the National Preventive Mechanism within the Commission, thereby reinforcing independent monitoring of detention facilities and strengthening safeguards against torture and other forms of inhumane treatment.
According to him, the legislation would also provide statutory backing for Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, a framework intended to promote corporate accountability and responsible business conduct in line with international standards.
In a notable governance reform, the bill proposes that the Executive Secretary of the Commission must be appointed from within its directorate cadre rather than from outside the institution — a measure Ojukwu said would preserve professionalism, institutional memory and leadership continuity.
On the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, he stressed that activists and advocacy groups frequently operate under threats, harassment and intimidation. The proposed law, he explained, would create enforceable protections and response mechanisms to shield them from reprisals.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Useni Jalo, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions through progressive lawmaking. He described the public hearing as part of wider efforts to consolidate public trust in governance.
International partners also expressed support. The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, represented by Ms. Ajuwa Kufour, said passage of the bills would further align Nigeria’s human rights institution with the Paris Principles — the global benchmark for national human rights bodies.
Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Abiola Makinde, assured stakeholders that the legislative process would remain transparent and inclusive, pledging continued engagement with civil society and relevant government agencies.
However, a cautionary note came from the Federal Ministry of Justice. Imarha Reuben, representing the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, warned against what he termed legislative proliferation. He argued that Nigeria already possesses an array of legal instruments and urged lawmakers to prioritise harmonisation and effective implementation of existing statutes rather than enacting additional laws.
Despite divergent views, stakeholders broadly concurred that reinforcing the NHRC’s legal and institutional architecture remains essential to advancing accountability, safeguarding human dignity and deepening democratic governance.
The hearing concluded with renewed calls for coordinated action among the legislature, executive and civil society to ensure that proposed reforms translate into tangible protection for citizens.
