ABUJA – The International Human Rights Commission IHRC Corporation in Nigeria continues its steadfast commitment to holding businesses accountable for their human rights responsibilities, actively advocating for enhanced human rights protections within the corporate sector.
Experts emphasize that the Nigerian Policy on Business and Human Rights constitutes a vital component of a broader global initiative aimed at ensuring that businesses consistently adhere to international human rights standards throughout their operations and supply chains. This policy is directly aligned with prominent international frameworks, notably the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which clearly delineate the obligations of states and enterprises in preventing human rights abuses.
In alignment with these objectives, the IHRC actively participated in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Business and Human Rights Round-table Meeting on May 7, 2025, held at the United Nations Building in Abuja. This significant meeting focused extensively on the crucial role businesses play in respecting and advancing human rights within their operational frameworks.
Delivering the keynote address, Victoria de Mello, UNDP Regional Project Coordinator on Business and Human Rights, underscored the imperative of proactive business engagement in addressing human rights challenges. She stressed the necessity for businesses to possess the essential tools and knowledge required to comply effectively with international human rights standards. The event offered IHRC a valuable opportunity to collaborate strategically with diverse stakeholders, furthering its mission to enhance human rights protections within the business community.
During the meeting, the IHRC Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, highlighted critical elements of the Business and Human Rights Policies outlined within Nigeria’s National Action Plan. These policies detail comprehensive mechanisms designed to monitor and evaluate corporate adherence to human rights standards, aiming ultimately to foster greater business accountability for human rights impacts and support the cultivation of a more sustainable and ethically responsible business environment.
Representing Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC’s delegation, led by Fidelis Onakpoma, Head of Media and Strategic Communications, and Nnamdi Christian Anyagaigbo, Research and Development Officer, elucidated that these policies clearly articulate the responsibility of enterprises to uphold human rights standards across their operations and supply chains. Essential components typically include explicit guidelines for due diligence, transparent reporting, and accessible grievance mechanisms.
Furthermore, IHRC representatives expressed concern regarding prevailing issues of widespread corruption, ineffective governance structures, and implementation deficiencies that severely hinder the enforcement of these policies within Nigeria. The commission advocates strongly for establishing a robust civil society coalition, designed to initiate and support practical interventions addressing these systemic challenges, thereby ensuring effective policy enforcement.
In conclusion, the IHRC emphasized the critical importance of strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing corporate accountability mechanisms, promoting widespread awareness, and guaranteeing access to justice as essential steps toward significant improvements in Nigeria’s business and human rights environment.
Reported by:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head of Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria
Promoting Human Rights in the Business Sector is No Longer Optional — It’s Essential.
As someone committed to upholding human dignity and justice, I am deeply inspired by the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Corporation’s active engagement in promoting business accountability and integrating human rights standards into corporate frameworks.
The recent roundtable at the UN House in Abuja marks a crucial step forward in aligning Nigerian businesses with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). This effort reflects a necessary shift toward ethical governance, transparency, and responsibility in both national and global contexts.
I express my sincere interest in joining this mission as a volunteer or human rights advocate. I believe my grassroots experience in addressing rights violations, coupled with my unwavering dedication to justice, can meaningfully contribute to IHRC’s goals.
Together, let us build a world where corporations not only generate profit — but protect people.
✊ #HumanRights #BusinessEthics #IHRC #UNGPs #CorporateAccountability #VolunteerForJustice