NHRC staff pledge global best practices in human rights communication

By Jude Opara

Participants at the two-day training on Human Rights Reporting and Advocacy organized by the National Human Rights Commission have pledged to advance the knowledge acquired to human rights protection and promotion in Nigeria in accordance with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN said apart from investigations, interventions and policy recommendations, human rights can also be protected through the ability to communicate human rights issues accurately, clearly and strategically in ways citizens can understand and act accordingly.

Ojukwu who was represented by the Director of Civil and Political Rights Halilu Adamu, stated that in today’s world, how the human rights story is told can determine whether an important issue receives attention.

He said the training will strengthen the Commission’s ability to transform complex human rights issues into compelling and accessible visual content, particularly for young people and digital audiences, while social media has become one of the most powerful channels for public education, advocacy and engagement with the people.

The NHRC boss further charged the staff to cultivate a human rights communication culture that places premium on accuracy, professionalism, ethics, empathy, dignity and strategic advocacy.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Department, Fatimah Agwai said the training was convened to ensure the Commission operates at par with world-class National Human Rights Institutions in line with Nigeria’s A-Status accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

Agwai stated that the A-Status is not just an award, but a recognition of compliance with the Paris Principles adding that it is a call to higher responsibility, which the Commission must respond to.

The Director explained that the Executive Secretary does not want a media department that merely covers events, but a department that also defends human rights through communication, adding that every press release and social media post is a statement of the Commission’s independence, impartiality and credibility.

She noted that the A-Status NHRI must speak with authority and not propaganda, and NHRC communication must be factual, timely and rights-based, offering hope to the vulnerable and guidance to duty-bearers.

At the end of the training, participants pledged to translate the skills acquired into better content, stronger advocacy, more effective public engagement and greater impact in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria, in line with global best practices.

The training, which held on 22nd – 23rd September, 2026 at theBUNKer, Wuse 2, Abuja, focused on graphic design, using Canva, content creation and social media management, as well as news writing and storytelling from a human rights perspective.