Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC) Blog

  Oluwo Calls for Abolition of Harmful Cultural Practices Violating Human Rights The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to support the abolition of what he described as barbaric and unconstitutional cultural practices that endanger public safety and infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights. The monarch made this appeal in Ikeja, Lagos State, during the unveiling of “Diary of an Audacious Reformer,” a book written in honour of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The book was authored by veteran journalist and Razornews Chief Executive Officer, Sunday Odita, and chronicles Egbetokun’s professional journey, highlighting reforms credited with enhancing efficiency within the Nigeria Police Force. Speaking at a panel session titled “Institutional Collaboration as a Tool for Counter-Terrorism and Crime,” Oba Akanbi urged security agencies to take decisive steps to curb certain traditional practices. These include th...

  Engineers Advocate Ethical Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Human Rights Engineers across Africa have called for the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence to address insecurity, forced labour, and human trafficking.  Nigerian software engineer Ayotunde Somoye emphasised that AI should assist human investigators rather than replace human judgment.  He noted that AI can help identify early warning signs and irregular recruitment patterns while ensuring that final decisions remain with people to protect human rights and maintain accountability.

  NHRC Records 3,019 Human Rights Complaints in Kano State in 2025 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reported receiving 3,019 human rights complaints in Kano State between January and December 2025. Of these, 2,276 cases were concluded, while 743 remain ongoing.  Major complaints included child rights violations, domestic violence, law enforcement abuses, and sexual and gender-based violence. The commission also recorded over 2,000 migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons during a statewide data-collection exercise.  The NHRC plans to intensify sensitisation campaigns and strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.

World Braille Day: Tinubu Calls for Digital Inclusion of The Visually Impaired  The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasised the importance of Braille as a vital tool for inclusion, dignity, and independence for blind and visually impaired persons, calling for stronger efforts to bridge the digital accessibility gap. In a message to mark World Braille Day 2026, observed on January 4, the First Lady said the annual commemoration provides an opportunity to reaffirm national and global commitments to equal access to information, education, and opportunities for persons living with visual impairment. She warned that as societies rapidly embrace digital transformation, accessibility must remain central to innovation, noting that technological advancement without inclusion could deepen existing inequalities. According to her, integrating Braille with modern technology is essential to ensuring equal participation in education, employment, and civic life for blind and ...

Foundation Trains 130 Students in Human Rights and Civic Leadership The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Nigeria has trained 130 students across four Nigerian universities as part of efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance and national development. The initiative, known as the “Include Naija” project, is designed to promote fundamental human rights among young Nigerians and equip them with the skills required for active participation in democratic processes. The project runs from 2025 to 2027. The programme is being implemented at the University of Abuja (Department of Political Science), the Centre for Peace and Development, Veritas University, Bwari; the Centre for Gender Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; and the Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano. The 2025 democracy capacity-building workshop, held at the University of Abuja, featured Professor Yusuf Zoaka of the University of Abuja; Dr Hauwau Mainoma of Nasarawa State University; Dr Chibugo Lebechi...

Rights Groups Protest Alleged Rising Repression Meanwhile, a coalition of labour activists, pro-democracy organisations and civil society groups has staged a protest at the Oyo State House of Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Ibadan over what they described as increasing repression under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The coalition, comprising groups such as the Federal Workers Forum, Campaign for the Defence of Workers’ Rights, Take It Back Movement, Amílcar Cabral Ideological School, Africa Action Congress (AAC) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, alleged a growing pattern of arrests, intimidation and detention of citizens for expressing dissenting views. Addressing journalists during the protest, leaders of the coalition warned that the clampdown on activists, journalists and critics represents a deliberate attempt to shrink civic space and criminalise dissent, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stabili...