President Bola Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, requesting the screening and confirmation of 15 nominees for appointment into the board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s human rights protection framework.
The request was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
According to the President, the nominations are aimed at reconstituting the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions. He noted that the nominees were carefully selected from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Those nominated include Mrs. Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye. Also on the list are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim as members.
President Tinubu stated that the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the NHRC (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers the President to constitute the board, subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board is necessary to enhance the institutional capacity of the commission and enable it to more effectively carry out its mandate of promoting and protecting human rights across the country.
Following the presentation, the Senate referred the nominees to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening, with a directive to report back within two weeks.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a key role in strengthening the commission’s oversight responsibilities, particularly amid growing concerns over human rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
