The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that it receives more than two million complaints annually regarding human rights violations across Nigeria.
NHRC Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, shared the information on Tuesday in Abuja during an awareness walk held to mark International Human Rights Day, observed every December 10. The walk, themed “Equality: Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights”, was organized by the NHRC in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), the European Union, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Participants in the walk carried placards with messages such as “Stand for Equality, Fight for Humanity,” “Human Rights Are Universal Rights, Let’s Protect Them,” and “Break the Chains of Inequality, Advance Human Rights.”
Ojukwu emphasized that Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of human dignity and the importance of protecting fundamental rights. “Today is a reminder of your rights, the very essence of your being,” he said. “For Nigeria, the NHRC is the main institution set up by the government to ensure that your rights, as enshrined in the constitution, are protected.”
He further explained that the commission receives over two million complaints annually, a figure he described as “mind-boggling.” However, Ojukwu viewed the high number of complaints as a positive sign of increasing awareness and willingness among Nigerians to seek redress for rights violations. “This wasn’t the case during military rule, when we might have received 20 or 100 complaints a year. The fact that we’re now receiving over two million complaints shows that Nigeria has come of age,” he said.
Ojukwu also appealed for support for the NHRC’s Human Rights Fund, which remains unfunded. “Individuals, companies, and organizations can contribute in various ways — not just with cash, but by donating equipment like computers, vehicles, or office supplies,” he said.
Salamatu Suleiman, Chairman of the NHRC Governing Council, called for a year-round commitment to human rights, stressing that Human Rights Day should not be limited to a single occasion. She highlighted the need to focus on the education of out-of-school children, noting that improving access to education could help reduce social vices.
Mohammed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, addressed the global rise in conflicts and suffering, which he said often leads to human rights violations. He reassured that the United Nations would continue to take action based on internationally adopted human rights principles.
Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), emphasized the importance of prioritizing the rights of women and girls for a fair and prosperous world. She pointed out that while progress has been made, millions of women and girls still face violations of their fundamental rights. “Only 56% of women can make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights,” she said.
In commemoration of Human Rights Day, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) called on both federal and state governments to uphold human rights as outlined in the constitution, regional, and international treaties. MRA Programme Officer Esther Adeniyi criticized the state of human rights in Nigeria, citing issues such as extrajudicial killings, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, gender-based violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression. “The government must fulfill its duties to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights,” she said.
In a joint statement, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) condemned the use of repressive laws to target journalists and media organizations. They criticized the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) codes, which they said are used to stifle free expression. Despite 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, they noted that press freedom in Nigeria remains under severe threat.
