Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Have Reached Alarming Levels–NHRC

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Nigerian feminists protesting against male violence against women in 2024. Photo source: NFM
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According to the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC), Human rights violations in Nigeria have reached alarming levels. The body reported a 27% surge in complaints in Oct, the highest monthly figure recorded this year.  

In a Nov. 14, 2024, meeting, the commission presented the “October Human Rights Situation” Dashboard. The NHRC’s monthly human rights dashboard revealed 427,606 complaints, highlighting the impact of the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.

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The dashboard shows the increase in human rights complaints in Oct. compared to the previous months. Photo source: Premium Times Nigeria.

According to the report, Oct. also saw a devastating increase in killings and abductions, including the tragic loss of 167 lives in a tanker explosion in Jigawa State, where the victims were reportedly attempting to scoop fuel after the tanker overturned.  

Hilary Ogbonna, the NHRC’s Senior Human Rights Adviser, decried the recurring tragedies linked to preventable infrastructure and regulatory failures. 

“The security and welfare of the people is the primary duty of the government,” he stated, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to prevent unroadworthy vehicles from endangering lives.  

Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu, in the meeting,  also pointed to a troubling pattern of gross human rights violations and called for decisive action to dismantle systemic barriers. He stressed that all Nigerians deserve equal treatment and protection regardless of background.  

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An assessment showing the complaints’ ranking, with discrimination topping the chart. Photo source: Premium Times Nigeria.

To address these growing challenges, the NHRC has launched a working group comprising civil society organisations such as Spaces for Change and the Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NNGOs). The group aims to draft an advisory promoting citizens’ rights and strengthening civic engagement.  

Reflecting on the dashboard’s role since its introduction in January, Tony highlighted its impact in fostering stakeholder discussions and advancing human rights advocacy.  

With economic hardship exacerbating vulnerabilities, the NHRC has urged the government to prioritise the safety and well-being of its citizens through immediate and systemic interventions.   

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