By Joy Baba— Yesufu
Institutional fragility remains a major obstacle to enforcing human rights within Nigeria’s business environment, according to a new report by Global Rights Nigeria.
The report reveals that many government agencies lack the technical expertise and financial capacity to uphold human rights and environmental standards effectively.
Leadership positions in these critical regulatory bodies are frequently filled through political appointments rather than merit-based selection. This undermines institutional independence and weakens political will, as leaders often lack the necessary understanding of their agencies’ mandates.
The situation is further exacerbated by state capture, where lobbyists and political influencers shape policies in favor of corporate interests.
The report also highlighted a persistent conflict of interest since the Nigerian government relies heavily on revenue from corporations and is often reluctant to impose stringent regulations for fear of driving away investment.
“As a result, ordinary citizens and the environment continue to suffer, while the supposed economic gains deliver little long-term benefit to affected communities.”
Speaking at a one-day training on Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) in Abuja, Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights Nigeria, warned that businesses failing to embed human rights and environmental safeguards in their operations not only harm communities but also jeopardize their own long-term viability.
“Business is about people,” Baiyewu said. “It should be about making a meaningful impact while generating profit not devastating communities and destroying ecosystems.”
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