by George Ozalla
The House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights has commended the National Human Rights Commission for its 2025 performance, describing it as impactful despite limited resources and a complex human rights environment.
Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde, Chairman of the Committee, made the commendation during the Commission’s 2025 budget defence and presentation of its 2026 appropriation proposal. He observed that, amid rising concerns over fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion and other human rights challenges, the NHRC maintained measurable progress in executing its statutory mandate.
Makinde particularly praised the Commission’s Human Rights Dashboard, describing it as an effective transparency and public engagement tool that provides regular updates on complaints and interventions. He assured the Commission of the National Assembly’s continued collaboration, emphasizing that strengthening institutions responsible for safeguarding citizens’ rights remains a legislative priority.
Presenting the Commission’s report, Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, expressed gratitude for the committee’s support, which he said allowed the NHRC to implement most of its planned programmes and interventions in 2025.
Dr. Ojukwu disclosed that the Commission received over 3.7 million complaints last year, reflecting both an increase in public trust and the growing demand for rights protection. He explained that this upward trend underscores the need for increased investment in complaint handling, investigation, and redress mechanisms to ensure timely and effective resolution of issues.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted the importance of institutional independence in line with the Paris Principles, which require national human rights institutions to operate autonomously. He revealed that the Commission has constructed eight state offices since he assumed office to deepen access to justice at the subnational level, with plans to establish 24 additional offices in 2026. He further stressed the urgent need to expand and renovate the Commission’s headquarters, noting that staff strength has tripled since 2007.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the NHRC proposed a budget of ₦20 billion, allocating 33.67 per cent to personnel and overhead costs and 66.33 per cent to capital expenditure. According to Ojukwu, the allocation reflects a strategic focus on infrastructure development, operational expansion, and improved service delivery.
The committee expressed readiness to support the proposed budget, urging the Commission to consolidate its gains and continue advancing the protection and promotion of human rights across Nigeria.
