The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has called for stronger safeguards and improved conditions for women in detention facilities across Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of the NHRC, following Ojukwu’s participation in the 4th Annual Conference of the African National Preventive Mechanisms Network held in Kigali from June 24 to 26, 2026.
The conference brought together experts from the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, the Association for the Prevention of Torture, National Preventive Mechanisms, National Human Rights Institutions, and civil society organisations from across the African continent.
As Chairman of Nigeria’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), Ojukwu led discussions under the theme, “Advancing Detention Monitoring in Africa: Regional and Global Perspectives on Prison Conditions and the Protection of Women in Detention.”
Speaking during the session, he emphasized that effective monitoring of detention facilities remains critical to preventing torture, ill-treatment, and other human rights violations. He highlighted the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by women deprived of their liberty and urged African governments to strengthen preventive mechanisms and oversight of detention centres.
The NHRC boss also advocated greater adherence to international standards governing the treatment of detainees, particularly the UN Bangkok Rules and the Nelson Mandela Rules.
The session provided a platform for participants to exchange best practices and innovative approaches aimed at improving prison conditions, preventing torture, and safeguarding the dignity and rights of persons in detention, with special attention to women inmates.
Nigeria’s active participation at the conference underscores the NHRC’s commitment to advancing torture prevention, promoting humane detention conditions, and strengthening human rights protection in line with regional and international obligations.
