April 29, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to confirm 15 nominees for appointment to the board and leadership of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a major move to reconstitute the country’s foremost human rights institution amid growing national concerns over accountability, security abuses, and citizens’ rights protection.
The request, conveyed in a letter to the Senate and read during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeks the full reconstitution of the commission’s governing board in accordance with the provisions of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010.
Among the nominees are former Minister of Women Affairs, Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who was nominated as Chairman of the board, and Anthony Ojukwu, nominated to continue as Executive Secretary of the commission.
Other nominees submitted to the Senate include Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers; Mrs Roseline Tasha; Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku; ACG Felix Lawrence; Mr Edmund Chinonye; Mr Chinonye Obiaku (SAN); Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo; Professor Adedeji Ogunji; Kingsley Chidozie; Mohammed Adelodu; Maupe Ogun Yusuf; Otunba Francis Meshioye; Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim.
President Tinubu, in the letter, explained that the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the NHRC Act, which empowers the President to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He noted that the reconstitution of the board had become necessary to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of the commission and reposition it to more effectively discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities in promoting and protecting human rights nationwide.
Following the reading of the President’s request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and legislative consideration.
The committee was directed to conduct the screening exercise and submit its report within two weeks.
If confirmed, the new board will be expected to provide strategic direction for the commission at a time Nigeria continues to face mounting domestic and international pressure to strengthen human rights enforcement, improve institutional transparency and ensure greater protection for vulnerable citizens.
The nominations come at a period of heightened public scrutiny over issues of extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, abuse of power, gender-based violence, insecurity and accountability within law enforcement institutions.
The NHRC, regarded as Nigeria’s apex human rights institution, is empowered to investigate allegations of human rights violations, monitor government compliance with international human rights obligations, support victims of abuse, conduct public inquiries and advise authorities on rights-related reforms.
Under the current administration, issues relating to civic freedoms, detention practices, security operations and citizens’ welfare have continued to generate intense national debate, placing renewed focus on the role of the commission as an independent oversight body.
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