National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has urged civil society organisations and Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to effectively implement Nigeria’s National Action Plan, NAP, for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights 2024–2028.
Speaking during a consultative meeting on the NAP for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria 2024-2028 held in Lagos, Deputy Director of NHRC in Lagos, Mrs Yemisi Akhile, said the action plan was designed to improve the welfare and protection of Nigerians.
Akhile warned that the exercise of human rights must always be balanced with responsibility, stressing that rights must not be exercised in ways that harm others.
“We are drawing attention to the existence of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights 2024–2028 to the MDAs and civil society organisations who have critical roles to play in its successful implementation, the impact is that every Nigerian will feel protected, every Nigerian will feel respected, every Nigerian will feel that their well-being and welfare actually matter.” she said.
She also said that the Action Plan was not a static policy document but a working framework that requires continuous monitoring, evaluation and accountability from all stakeholders.
According to her, the commission continues to carry out public sensitisation across communities, institutions and security agencies to improve awareness of human rights.
Earlier, the Deputy Director of Investigation and Acting State Coordinator of the NHRC Lagos, Mr Patrick Akinwunmi, said the protection of human rights requires collective efforts from all sectors of society.
“As we all understand, human rights is not the job of one single organisation. It is the responsibility of all of us.” he said.
Akinwunmi explained that every government institution has a human rights responsibility embedded in its mandate, adding that none was exempt.
Meanwhile, the participants also identified gaps in public awareness of human rights, calling for stronger sensitisation to improve understanding of both rights and responsibilities.
They urged sustained collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that human rights protections are fully implemented and properly enforced across all levels of government and society.
