Federal Government, international partners, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday disagreed over the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Bill.

This followed a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights in Abuja.

The hearing, attended by lawmakers, government officials, civil society actors, the media, and development partners, examined both bills aimed at enhancing the protection of human rights defenders and strengthening the operational capacity of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission.

In his speech, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), stated that the government was strongly opposed to the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill.

Fagbemi argued that Nigeria already had sufficient legislation safeguarding human rights, and that introducing a new law could create institutional overlap, legislative confusion, and duplication of government functions.

While acknowledging gaps in human rights protection, he urged lawmakers to empower existing institutions rather than enact additional legislation.

On the bill for an Act to Repeal the National Human Rights Commission Act, to enact the National Human Rights Commission Bill, 2025, Fagbemi said the ministry was in support, pointing out some areas of concern.

He said that Clause 5 (2b) seeks to make it compulsory for business owners to obtain a yearly human rights compliance certificate.
He said that clause 15 seeks to give the commission powers to borrow funds to pursue human rights cases, stressing that this should only be done with the ministry or the National Assembly’s approval to prevent abuse.

The minister recommended that the provision should be harmonised into the recent tax reform programme of the Federal Government to prevent duplication.

Contrasting the government’s position, civil society groups and development partners urged the National Assembly to pass both bills.

The Programme Director, Development Dynamics, Jude Ohanele, said the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions

He said it would improve Nigeria’s international human rights reputation, promote transparency and good governance, as well as enhance investor confidence through rule-of-law assurances.
Ohanele said that it would reduce conflict by providing lawful channels for grievance expression, protect human rights defenders and is not an adversarial bill against the state.

Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, stressed the need for the commission to have adequate funding and enforcement powers.

He noted that the Human Rights Fund established in 2010 had yet to receive proper funding and that the bill seeks to integrate resources from tax reforms to ensure the timely pursuit of human rights cases.

Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, commended the NHRC’s work to date but noted that more reforms were needed.

Governance Adviser at the FCDO, Matthew Ayibakuro, stressed the importance of protecting human rights defenders for social cohesion, the rule of law, and democratic resilience.

He commended Nigeria for engaging stakeholders through public hearings and emphasised the UK’s commitment to supporting locally-led solutions.

UN Senior Human Rights Adviser, Adwoa Kufuor, noted that the proposed NHRC Bill directly responds to recommendations from the 2023 review and aligns with the Paris Principles.

In his opening remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the bills as timely and necessary, noting that they seek to protect citizens, strengthen governance, and uphold the rule of law.