The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill seeking to strengthen the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by granting it greater operational independence, prosecutorial powers and a sustainable funding framework.

The legislation repeals the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2004, and the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010, replacing them with the proposed National Human Rights Commission Act, 2026.

The bill was passed after the House considered and adopted the report of its Committee of the Whole.

It is aimed at aligning the Commission with the United Nations Paris Principles by expanding its powers to investigate and prosecute human rights violations, while enhancing its institutional independence.

A key provision of the bill is the establishment of a Human Rights Fund to provide sustainable financing for the Commission’s operations.

The fund will support human rights research, training, collaboration with civil society organisations, protection of human rights defenders, implementation of national human rights action plans, infrastructure development, staff welfare and the payment of compensation awarded to victims of human rights violations.

The proposed law provides that the fund will be financed through two per cent of the 50 per cent Development Levy allocated to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, in addition to federal government subventions, foreign grants, donations and other lawful sources.

The bill also establishes a Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders within the Commission.

The unit, to be headed by a director, will coordinate measures to protect human rights defenders from intimidation, harassment and reprisals while carrying out their lawful activities.

To strengthen enforcement, the legislation prescribes penalties for obstructing the Commission’s work.

Under the bill, any person who refuses to provide evidence requested by the Commission, obstructs its officials, intimidates persons cooperating with the Commission or fails to comply with its lawful directives commits an offence.

Upon conviction, such an individual is liable to a fine of not less than N500,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, while a corporate body will face a minimum fine of N5 million and an additional N20,000 for every day the offence continues.

Lawmakers said the legislation would reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to protecting fundamental human rights, strengthen the Commission’s capacity to enforce its mandate and improve compliance with international human rights obligations.