By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria’s drive to strengthen human rights protection has come under fresh scrutiny as stakeholders called for stronger coordination, accountability, and institutional commitment toward implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) on Human Rights 2024–2028.
The concerns and recommendations emerged during a consultative forum organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja in collaboration with CONRAD Educational Limited.
Participants at the meeting stressed that despite existing constitutional and international commitments, gaps still remain in the protection of vulnerable groups, enforcement of rights, monitoring mechanisms, and inter-agency collaboration.
Speaking during the consultation, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, represented by the Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, Mrs. Rabi Anwar, said the forum was convened to critically review progress made so far in implementing the National Action Plan and identify challenges limiting its effectiveness.
According to him, the Action Plan was designed to transform Nigeria’s human rights commitments into measurable actions capable of improving citizens’ welfare and strengthening institutional accountability.
He disclosed that the Commission had already begun nationwide monitoring and stakeholder engagements across the 36 states to assess compliance and implementation levels among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Ojukwu noted that experts had also been engaged to develop assessment tools that would help improve transparency, monitoring, and evaluation of human rights obligations by public institutions.
Stakeholders at the forum emphasized the need for stronger protection of women, children, persons with disabilities, and socially excluded populations, warning that weak implementation could undermine the objectives of the Action Plan.
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Abia Udeme Nsikak, said effective implementation would require sustained political will, stronger collaboration, and active participation from both government and non-governmental actors.
Also contributing, representatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service and civil society organizations highlighted the importance of integrating human rights standards into governance, migration management, advocacy, and community engagement initiatives.
The consultation further examined issues relating to civil and political rights, economic and social rights, sustainable development, and business and human rights as part of efforts to improve implementation nationwide.
Participants expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, and development partners would help close existing gaps and improve human rights protection across Nigeria.
