The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the media in advancing human rights, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria. This was the focus of a special media parley held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Media Partnership for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria.”
The event, which also marked the unveiling of the Commission’s 30th Anniversary Logo, brought together journalists, media executives, members of the diplomatic community, civil society representatives, and development partners.
Speaking during the session, Executive Secretary of the NHRC,Dr Tony Ojukwu,SAN noted that the Commission, established in 1995, has evolved from a body once perceived as limited in independence to an exemplary, independent national human rights institution in Africa. The Commission’s leadership emphasized its unwavering vision to remain a leading human rights institution in Africa and globally, committed to protecting and promoting the dignity of all Nigerians.
In a goodwill message, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, represented by the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, underscored the critical importance of protecting journalists and promoting press freedom. She stressed that press freedom is not a privilege but a fundamental right essential for democracy and national development.
The NUJ maintained a zero-tolerance stance against harassment, intimidation, and attacks on journalists, called on the NHRC to go beyond statements of condemnation and take decisive steps to ensure accountability for perpetrators.
The Union urged the Commission to utilize its investigative powers to protect media practitioners and strengthen institutional collaboration for press freedom.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Mr. Mohammed Maliq commended the NHRC for 30 years of courageous and transformative service. He described the Commission’s journey from 1995 as one that has turned “a promise in law into a pillar of justice and a beacon of hope” for Nigerians.
According to him, the NHRC’s initiatives including public inquiries, gender-based violence interventions, election monitoring, and data-driven documentation have shown resilience and innovation. He affirmed that the UN remained a steadfast partner in advancing the Commission’s work toward integrating human rights with sustainable development and equality.
Also speaking, Mr. Sani Suleiman, representing Paradigm Initiative, lauded the NHRC’s leadership for recognizing digital rights as fundamental human rights in today’s technology-driven world. He highlighted the Commission’s collaboration in digital rights awareness, stakeholder capacity building, and technology-driven access to justice as exemplary efforts.
Similarly, the Deputy Head of Delegation representing the European Union (EU) and ECOWAS Ambassador to Nigeria commended the NHRC’s consistent documentation of human rights progress through its monthly dashboards. He described the reports as valuable tools for fostering dialogue between government and citizens on democracy and human rights.
Major highlights of the event included the unveiling of the NHRC 30th Anniversary Logo by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, and a keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun of the UN Information Centre (UNIC), Abuja, titled “Understanding the Intersectionality of Inclusive Media and Information Literacy (MIL), Information Integrity and Human Rights.”
In her closing remarks, the Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, Mrs. Fatima Mohammed Agwai, expressed appreciation to journalists for their continued partnership and commitment to amplifying the Commission’s human rights advocacy.
The event reaffirmed the crucial role of the media as a partner in promoting accountability, transparency, and the protection of fundamental freedoms in Nigeria.
