Nigeria @66: NHRC Demands Rights-Based Development, Equal Justice for All
By Pan Afric Reporters
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on governments at all levels, security agencies and public institutions to place human dignity, equality, justice and fundamental rights at the centre of Nigeria’s transition from reforms to stability and shared prosperity.
The call was contained in an Independence Day message issued by the NHRC to mark Nigeria’s 66th anniversary, signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, on behalf of the Commission.
The NHRC Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, while commending Nigerians for their resilience, creativity and determination in confronting the country’s social, economic and political challenges, said the success of ongoing reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives and dignity of ordinary citizens.
Reflecting on the national theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” Ojukwu stressed that economic growth could only be sustainable when the benefits of development were broadly shared and vulnerable groups protected from disproportionate hardship.
He therefore urged governments 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.
The NHRC boss also called on law enforcement and security agencies to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for fundamental rights in the discharge of their duties, stressing that national security and human rights protection should advance together.
According to him, the rule of law, an independent and effective justice system and meaningful access to justice remain essential, particularly for poor and vulnerable Nigerians, including persons with disabilities, women, children and internally displaced persons.
Ojukwu further urged public institutions to deepen citizens’ trust through transparency, accountability and responsive governance, while calling on Nigerians to uphold peaceful coexistence, civic responsibility and respect for the rights of others.
He also acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations, the media and human rights defenders to the promotion of democracy, accountability and fundamental freedoms, noting that an open and vibrant civic space remained important to sustainable national development.
“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,” Ojukwu said.
The Executive Secretary, who is also the country’s Chief Human Rights Officer, maintained that Nigeria’s transition from reforms to lasting stability required more than economic transformation, stressing the need for a society where every citizen enjoys equal protection of the law, access to justice, dignity and meaningful opportunities to participate in national development.
The NHRC, while congratulating Nigerians on the 66th Independence anniversary, wished citizens a peaceful and meaningful celebration and reiterated its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights across the country.
