NHRC Nigeria

06/10/2026

AGE IS NOT A BURDEN - IT IS A BLESSING!

Today, the National Human Rights Commission stood tall to celebrate our elders!

Every wrinkle tells a story. Every grey hair carries a lifetime of sacrifice, wisdom and service to Nigeria.

Yet, growing older in Nigeria still means confronting neglect, discrimination, poverty and exclusion. That must change!

The Commission hosted a Press Conference to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Older Persons with the global theme:

"The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives"

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, declared:

Longevity is one of humanity's greatest achievements. Living longer should not be viewed as a burden, but as an opportunity. Older persons possess knowledge, experience, skills, values and institutional memory that remain invaluable to our communities and nation."

We are not just marking a day. We are renewing our collective commitment that every older person in Nigeria must live with dignity, independence, security, equality and full enjoyment of human rights.

We were honoured to have our partners who share this vision:

Mrs. Beatrice Oyegbade- Executive Director, Brafem Geriatric Foundation (Representing Sen. Eze Ajoku, President, Coalition of Societies on the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria - COSROPIN)
Mallam Ibrahim Daniya- Representing Dave Omokaro Foundation
Mrs. Kamala Joelyn- Representing National Orientation Agency (NOA)
Mr. Dahiru Bobbo - Representing National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI)

Our fathers and mothers gave us their today for our tomorrow. Now it is our turn to protect their rights!

If you see an older person being abused, neglected or denied their rights, speak up.

Report to NHRC: Call 6472 (Toll Free)

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

NO QUALITY EDUCATION WITHOUT INVESTMENT IN TEACHERS, SCHOOLS

As Nigeria joins the world to mark World Teachers’ Day on October 5, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently step-up investment in teachers, schools and learning facilities, warning that the right to quality education cannot be guaranteed where teachers are poorly supported and schools remain unsafe or inadequately equipped.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN said improving Nigeria’s education system requires more than policy commitments, stressing that teacher welfare, professional development and decent working conditions are inseparable from the right of every child to quality education. It therefore urged governments to prioritise education in planning and budgeting, particularly in rural, underserved and conflict-affected communities where children face greater barriers to learning.

The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria described teachers as indispensable to the realisation of the right to education and the development of a society anchored on equality, human dignity and respect for human rights.
He called for regular professional training, timely payment of salaries, decent working conditions, manageable workloads and adequate teaching resources for teachers, noting that overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities and poor learning environments ultimately affect the quality of education available to children.

Chief Ojukwu also urged governments to accelerate investment in functional classrooms, water and sanitation, electricity, digital learning facilities and disability-inclusive infrastructure, particularly in communities where educational facilities remain inadequate.
He stressed that children must be able to learn in environments free from violence, bullying, discrimination and other forms of abuse, adding that girls, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups require particular attention to ensure equal access to education. He therefore urged the National Assembly to pass the Safe Schools Bill into law without further delay.
According to the NHRC Boss, Nigeria's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 and other national and international obligations on the right to education requires sustained action to recruit, train, motivate and retain qualified teachers while improving the conditions in which they work.
The Learned Silk called on governments, education authorities, school administrators, parents and communities to move beyond declarations and take concrete steps to make quality, inclusive and safe education a reality for every Nigerian child.

“Investing in teachers is investing in the right to education and future of the county. A nation cannot guarantee quality education while its teachers are inadequately supported and its schools remain unsafe or poorly equipped. Government must translate education commitments and budgetary allocations into visible improvements in classrooms and in the lives of teachers and learners.” Chief Ojukwu said.

02/10/2026

Happening at the NHRC Auditorium, Abuja.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is organizing a two-day workshop for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government on the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Human Rights 2024–2028 and the administration of the NAP assessment template questionnaire.

The workshop is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, promoting ownership of the NAP and supporting MDAs to translate human rights commitments into concrete, measurable actions that improve the lives of Nigerians.

01/10/2026

NIGERIA @66: NHRC CALLS FOR RIGHTS-BASED DEVELOPMENT AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on government at all levels, security agencies, public institutions and citizens to place human dignity, equality and justice at the centre of the nation’s journey from reforms to stability and shared prosperity.

In a message marking the anniversary, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, commended the resilience, creativity and determination of Nigerians in the face of the country’s social, economic and political challenges.

Reflecting on the national theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” Chief Ojukwu said the success of reforms must ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives, rights and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.

He stressed that economic growth and national development would be sustainable only when the benefits of progress are broadly shared and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are protected from disproportionate hardship.

The NHRC Boss therefore urged government to strengthen social protection mechanisms, expand access to basic services and ensure that economic policies and reforms remain consistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.

He also called on law enforcement and security agencies to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in the discharge of their responsibilities, stressing that the protection of national security must go hand in hand with the protection of fundamental rights.

Chief Ojukwu further emphasized the importance of the rule of law, an independent and effective justice system, and meaningful access to justice, particularly for the poor, persons with disabilities, women, children, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

He called on public institutions to deepen public trust through transparency, accountability and responsive governance, while urging citizens to remain committed to peaceful coexistence, civic responsibility and respect for the rights of others.

The Executive Secretary also recognized the contributions of civil society organizations, the media and human rights defenders to strengthening democracy, accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms, noting that an open and vibrant civic space is essential to sustainable national development.

As Nigeria moves forward, “we reaffirmed our commitment to work with government institutions, security agencies, civil society, the media, development partners and citizens to promote and protect human rights and strengthen the culture of accountability” the learned Silk said.

The Chief Human Rights Officer of the country noted that the transition from reforms to lasting stability requires more than economic transformation; it requires a Nigeria where every citizen enjoys equal protection of the law, access to justice, dignity and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the nation’s development.

The NHRC wishes all Nigerians a peaceful and meaningful Independence anniversary.

01/10/2026

Happy International Day of Older Persons!

01/10/2026

On October 1, 2026.
Happy Independence Day Celebration.

01/10/2026

Happy Independence Day from all of us at the NHRC.

01/10/2026

Happy Independence Day Nigeria!

30/09/2026

WHEN CHILDREN LEARN THEIR RIGHTS, A SAFER SCHOOL BEGINS

Students of The Premier Academy, Lugbe Abuja, turned their excursion to the National Human Rights Commission into a powerful lesson on dignity, safety and respect. Representing the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, Deputy Director Human Rights Education, Mrs. Uche Nkwobi assured them that the NHRC is always ready to protect rights and provide remedies, while officers from the Commission sensitized them on bullying, personal space, inclusion, tolerance and the responsibility that comes with rights.

Inspired by the engagement, Peace Club Coordinator Mrs. Chinelo Udofia disclosed plans to transform the school’s club into a Human Rights Club, to better prevent bullying and promote peace in the school. The visit was indeed more than a tour it planted seeds for a generation that knows their rights, respects the rights of others, and will speak up when those rights are threatened.