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Executive Secretary NHRC champions ethical business practices, justice for victims, and education-driven human rights reform

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8 months ago

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The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, SAN, on Wednesday addressed journalists in Kano following the Stakeholder’s Consultative Forum on Business and Human Rights, held under the framework of a Tripartite Partnership to support National Human Rights Institutions.

Ojukwu decried the exploitation of labour by some companies, describing it as a tactic used to boost profits at the expense of human dignity. “The issue of exploration by labour is one tactic deployed by companies to enhance their profit,” he said. “The guiding principles of doing business and human rights is saying business is not all about profit. It needs to be ethical because it doesn’t make sense you’re exploiting people. You can still make profit without exploiting your workers.”

He commended the Nigerian government for adopting the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which he said underscores the responsibility of the state to protect human rights, the obligation of businesses to respect them, and the need for accountability in cases of violations. “What we are now promoting is consciousness people have to conduct their business in an ethical and responsible way,” he stated.

Ojukwu emphasized that enforcement of these principles would be anchored on mechanisms such as human rights due diligence, human rights impact assessments, and business impact assessments. “All businesses need to comply with the certificate on a yearly basis,” he explained. “Under due diligence, the labour of the company have something to do. Why it’s happening now is because nobody is checking what the company is doing. But now that the National Action Plan is being adopted, due diligence will show the level of compliance of every company. The National Human Rights Commission will drive the process. I’m sure with time all these kind of things will no longer be there.”

On the implementation of the EndSARS Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Ojukwu revealed that the NHRC has paid over N500 million in compensation to victims of rights violations. “It has never been done in the past in Nigeria. People whose rights were violated were paid in line with what the Constitution of Nigeria said,” he noted. “We recommended that some officers be disciplined, be prosecuted.”

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He added that the NHRC Governing Council had visited the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Argungu, in August to discuss the implementation of these recommendations. “Incidentally, the current IGP requested us to submit the report to him. So it’s not like we have forgotten. I want to assure that these recommendations will be implemented by time, even though some of the police officers occupy high positions.”

Addressing the issue of underfunding, Ojukwu acknowledged it as a global challenge for human rights institutions. “The issue of underfunding of the National Human Rights Commission is a top one all over the globe,” he said. “I have engaged the federal government and I assure you that they will change the situation. Our funding will be enhanced.”

He also disclosed efforts to amend the NHRC Act to activate the National Human Rights Fund, which would support the Commission’s operations. “Measures have been taken to see how we can alleviate the poor funding of the Commission,” he added.

On the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence, Ojukwu praised the establishment of the sexual violence register domiciled at NAPTIP. “I commend the initiative to name and shame the offenders,” he said. “The issue of sexual and gender-based violence is becoming so endemic in this country.”

He stressed the importance of public awareness and education in combating the menace. “I try to check through research whether this is connected with poverty, ignorance. We can do away with this through sensitization and awareness. If you don’t know your right, you can’t protect it. It is good to know your right.”

Continuing his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, emphasized the critical role of education in safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation. “It is of paramount importance to educate the girl child and boys on how to protect themselves against perpetrators,” he said, stressing that awareness and knowledge are powerful tools in the fight against human rights violations.

Ojukwu commended the Kano State Government for prioritizing education, describing it as a visionary investment in the future. “I commend Kano State Government for taking education as its key priority. The reward will be in the future,” he noted. “Any government that invests in education empowers its own people, so I commend the Kano State Governor for taking this step. The reward may not be today, but in the very near future.”

He expressed optimism that the combined efforts in human rights awareness and educational development would yield significant progress in the state. “I strongly believe that with the level of awareness of human rights and the investment in education, human rights violations will be drastically reduced very soon in Kano,” he concluded.

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NYSC Gets Biggest Revamp Since 1973 as FEC Approves Civilian Leadership, New Uniform, Tech-Driven Call-Up

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4 hours ago

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June 29, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Executive Council has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, marking the first major restructuring of the scheme since it was established 53 years ago.

The reforms, approved at the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, are aimed at repositioning the NYSC into a skills-focused, productivity-driven institution aligned with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.

A key aspect of the reform is a change in the leadership structure of the scheme, with the NYSC set to be headed by a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members nationwide.

The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the approved changes and enable their implementation.

Announcing the approval on X, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the reforms as the first holistic review of the scheme in its 53-year history.

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He said, “We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

Olawande said the approved reforms would reposition the scheme as “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”

According to him, the reforms include “a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams, skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways, modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support, improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”

Olawande said the reform process began in 2025 through a broad-based review involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination before receiving FEC approval.

He added, “This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever.”

Established in 1973 following the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to promote national unity by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of compulsory national service.

The latest reforms represent the first comprehensive review of the scheme since its creation, with the Federal Government saying the changes are designed to make the institution more relevant to Nigeria’s contemporary economic and youth development needs.

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2027: “I have no apology for supporting re-election bid of President Tinubu”, Gov. Yusuf declares

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8 hours ago

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June 29, 2026

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Ostensibly reacting to opposition comments, Gov. Yusuf insisted he has no cause of regret of apologetic to any figure, owing to his support for Tinubu’s re-election.

The governor made the declaration during an interactive session with elected and appointed government officials held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House in Kano.

Expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term, Yusuf assured that Kano would deliver overwhelming votes for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, “our administration in Kano has no reason to apologise for supporting President Tinubu”, stressing that the President’s re-election remains a collective responsibility of all party members and government officials.

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The Governor however directed all political appointees serving in his administration who are yet to register as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to do so without further delay.

Yusuf stressed that every elected and appointed government official must identify with the party and actively participate in strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 polls.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure the APC records victories in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly and local government elections.

As part of measures aimed at motivating political office holders, the governor approved the allocation of plots of land to more than 300 political aides, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Reporters and Personal Assistants. He also approved the payment of N100,000 to each of the beneficiaries.

Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore, also at the meeting re-emphaised that APC in Kano owes no apology for promoting the achievements of President Tinubu in Kano State.

Falgore noted that constituency projects executed by members of the State Assembly, with the support of Governor Yusuf, had further strengthened the party’s popularity across the state and positioned it for victory in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in Kano State, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, declared that “the battle line has been drawn” with the Kwankwasiyya movement, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

At the end of the meeting, elected and appointed government officials unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The officials also pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work collectively towards ensuring the success of the APC at all levels during the 2027 general elections.

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BUK Emerges Top Performing Nigerian University In Global Ranking

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11 hours ago

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June 29, 2026

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Nigeria has reinforced its growing influence in global higher education as 24 universities secured places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, the highest representation by any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions. Nigeria also increased its representation in the global rankings from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in 2026, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal universities, three state universities and four private universities, underscoring the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

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The rankings also reflect the growing recognition of specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning places, while state-owned universities continued to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Reacting to the latest rankings, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector, saying it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities. He noted that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education into a catalyst for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Pundits say the latest recognition is expected to boost the international profile of Nigerian universities, enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract research funding and encourage sustained investment in quality teaching, innovation and institutional development across the country’s higher education landscape.

The 24 Nigerian universities that featured in the 2026 THE rankings are:

1. University of Ibadan

2. University of Lagos

3. Bayero University Kano

4. Covenant University

5. Landmark University

6. Ahmadu Bello University

7. Federal University of Technology, Minna

8. University of Ilorin

9. University of Jos

10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

11. Babcock University

12. Delta State University, Abraka

13. Ekiti State University

14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

15. Federal University of Technology, Akure

16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

17. Federal University Oye-Ekiti

18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

19. Lagos State University

20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

21. Obafemi Awolowo University

22. University of Benin

23. University of Calabar

24. University of Port Harcourt

 

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