The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has harped on the urgent need for a framework that ensures businesses operate responsibly while promoting justice and accountability in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, cited that the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPS) offer a comprehensive framework for addressing these complex issues.
He spoke at Abuja while making remarks during the opening session of the high-level stakeholders’ forum on business and human rights in commemoration of 2024 International Human Rights Day.
He listed that United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights principles emphasize the State Duty to Protect Human Rights,
Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights and access to remedy.
Ojukwu noted that Nigeria, through the National Human Rights Commission, has taken commendable steps to embed human rights considerations into business operations.
However, he observed that despite the progress, challenges persist. According to him, “Gaps in enforcement, limited access to justice for victims, weak corporate accountability mechanisms, and systemic corruption hinder our efforts to fully advance human rights in the business sector.
“To overcome these obstacles, we must bolster enforcement mechanisms, strengthen our judicial system to ensure swift justice and foster robust partnerships between the public and private sectors to promote transparency and accountability.”
Ojukwu further noted that the theme “Stakeholders Perspectives on Advancing Business and Human Rights in Nigeria: A Pathway to Justice and Accountability,” speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities before Nigeria.
He urged participants to use the forum to commit to concrete actions that transform challenges into opportunities.
“As we commemorate the 2024 International Human Rights Day, let us reaffirm our collective dedication to advancing human rights in all spheres, with a particular focus on the business sector.
“Let us work tirelessly to ensure that economic development in Nigeria is not achieved at the expense of human dignity but rather enhances and complements it”, he said.
He urged I urged participants to take key actions including integrating human rights due diligence into their organizational processes, partnering with civil society organizations to ensure transparency and accountability and advocating for stronger policies that protect human rights across all business sectors.
Also, in her welcome address, the Chairperson of the NHRC Governing council, Dr. Salamatu H. Suleiman,
said as business activities have a profound impact on societies, economics and the lives of individuals, efforts must be made to ensure these activities align with human rights principles, respect the dignity and well-being of all individuals, and contribute to sustainable development.
Dr. Suleiman who was represented by a member of the NHRC Governing council, Femi Okeowo, said the forum serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among key stakeholders, including government representatives, business leaders, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates.
She urged all participants to actively engage in the discussion to contribute their expertise, and share their perspectives.
“Let us leverage this unique opportunity to foster collaboration, build networks, and develop a shared understanding of the complex issues at the intersection of business and human rights”, she advised.
Goodwill messages on the need for collaborative efforts to incorporate human rights practices in business activities were delivered by HE Mohammed M. Fall, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, represented by Adwoa Kufour, Senior Human Rights, office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator; NACCIMA, NECA, and Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.
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