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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recorded 3,724,822 human rights violations complaints across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025.
Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, disclosed this at the presentation of the December Dashboard and Observatory Reports on human rights violations.
According to the dashboard, the North Central recorded the highest number of complaints, with 1,317,213 cases, with Benue State leading in the number of violations of children’s rights.
Ojukwu noted that human rights violations were linked to systemic issues, among others, adding that collaboration remained a powerful tool in promoting and protecting human rights.
He said, “From January to December 2025 dashboards, we have learned that human rights violations are deeply linked to systemic issues, including inequality, unemployment, weak institutions, and limited access to justice.
“We have also learned that early warning signs are visible in the data, as the dashboard is not merely a reporting tool; it is a prevention mechanism. One thing that has also been highlighted is that collaboration remains essential.
”No single institution can address Nigeria’s human rights challenges alone. Progress in 2025 was most visible where government agencies, civil society, traditional institutions, and communities worked together.”
Projecting on 2026, he noted that the human rights outlook for Nigeria was one of cautious optimism, matched with realism.
He promised that in this context, the NHRC would prioritise strengthening early warning and prevention mechanisms, using dashboard data to support proactive interventions.
He added that the commission would also deepen engagement with security agencies to ensure human rights compliance in law enforcement and conflict response.
Mr Ojukwu said expanding access to justice, particularly for women, children, and marginalised communities, was also a priority.
”Leveraging technology and data to improve reporting, monitoring, and response.
”Enhancing partnerships with government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and development partners,” he said.
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According to him, data alone does not change lives; action does.
He added that the Human Rights Dashboard is a mirror held up to society, noting that what we see in it should guide policy, reform and accountability.
He therefore called on stakeholders to use this data to inform people-centred policies.
Speaking, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Adwoa Kufuor, noted that, looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and beyond, there were still many challenges.
She noted that these were security concerns, economic pressures, shrinking civic space, and barriers to getting justice.
Ms Kufuor said, “But we also see real hope and momentum. The National Human Rights Action Plan is in place. Justice reforms are underway, and the National Human Rights Commission is observatory.
“We welcome the commission priorities as laid out by the Executive Secretary to leverage data for human rights, data for action, and policy.
“We want to say loudly and clearly we stand fully behind, whether it’s in training, technical help, joint advocacy, or just being there to support your performance effort, you can count on the UN in Nigeria.”
The dashboard and observatory reports were presented by the senior human rights adviser to the commission, Hiliary Ogbonna.
He said that the North Central region recorded the highest number of complaints, with 1,317,213 cases, out of the total number recorded in 2025.
Mr Ogbonna added that Benue State led in the number of violations of children’s rights.
He said in 2025, the commission completed an investigation of 52,489 complaints and lamented inadequate funding.
