The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has received praise from the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights for its effective execution of the 2025 budget, with lawmakers expressing readiness to back the agency’s ₦20 billion funding request for 2026.
During the budget defence session, Committee Chairman Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde lauded the Commission’s achievements despite operating under tight financial conditions and navigating an increasingly challenging human rights environment. He highlighted concerns over threats to fundamental freedoms, including religious liberty, while recognizing the NHRC’s continued progress in executing its mandate.
The Committee Chairman singled out the Commission’s Human Rights Dashboard as a model of transparency, noting its role in keeping the public informed about complaints and institutional responses. He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to bolstering agencies that protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
In his presentation, NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, thanked the Committee for enabling the Commission to deliver on most of its 2025 programmatic goals. He reported that the agency handled over 3.7 million complaints during the year—a figure that signals both growing public confidence and escalating demand for rights protection services. Dr. Ojukwu stressed the need for enhanced capacity to manage complaints, conduct investigations, and provide effective remedies. He also emphasized the Commission’s commitment to the Paris Principles, international standards requiring national human rights institutions to function independently of government interference.
Since assuming leadership, Dr. Ojukwu said the Commission has established eight state offices to improve access to justice across Nigeria, with plans to add 20 more in 2026. He noted that headquarters expansion has become critical, as staff numbers have tripled since 2007.
The proposed 2026 budget allocates approximately 34 percent to personnel and operational expenses, while dedicating the remaining 66 percent to capital projects, reflecting priorities in infrastructure development and expanded service reach. The Committee pledged support for the budget proposal and urged the NHRC to build on its recent successes in safeguarding human rights nationwide.
