Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to uphold human rights and deepen the enforcement of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), stressing that these principles remain central to the country’s evolving security strategy.
He made this known while inaugurating the 2026 High-Level International Humanitarian Law Dialogue in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the forum, Shettima outlined the administration’s dual-track approach to tackling insecurity under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, combining military operations with non-kinetic interventions.
He noted that rising security threats continue to pose serious risks to national stability, necessitating a coordinated and sustained response rooted in both law and ethics.
The Vice President pointed to recent legal strides by the Federal Government, including the domestication of the African Union Kampala Convention, which enhances protections for internally displaced persons.
According to him, strengthening legal and institutional frameworks is key to addressing the complex and changing nature of conflicts across the country.
He further emphasized that Nigeria’s commitment goes beyond policy declarations, highlighting concrete actions such as embedding humanitarian law into military training, expanding child protection systems, and improving accountability in cases of sexual violence.
He added that efforts are also underway to integrate IHL into academic curricula and strengthen arms control and displacement management policies.
Other speakers at the event echoed the government’s position, with Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi underscoring ongoing justice sector reforms aimed at aligning Nigeria with global standards. Similarly, Solicitor-General Beatrice Jeddy-Agba described the dialogue as a crucial platform for reinforcing the rule of law.
