NHRC seeks NASS review of Commission’s proposed budget from N8 billion to N19.55 billion 

This was disclosed in a statement by the NHRC on Tuesday, following presentations made by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu.

He was said to have presented the Commission’s 2024 budget performance and defended its proposed 2025 budget before the Joint Committees on Human Rights of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Ojukwu sought the lawmakers’ consideration, highlighting the growing volume of complaints across Nigeria, totaling over 2 million annually.

He added that the cost of investigating each case is straining the Commission’s resources.

“For instance, investigating a single case costs approximately N8,000. To investigate 2 million cases effectively, the Commission would require N16 billion. The current allocation of N8 billion is grossly inadequate to meet this demand,” Ojukwu argued.

“The proposed budget will strengthen the Commission’s capacity to address pressing human rights issues in Nigeria,” Dr. Ojukwu stated.

“This proposed budget reflects our determination to create a more inclusive and just society. It will enable us to expand our reach, respond swiftly to human rights violations, and engage effectively with communities to promote awareness and accountability,” he added.

The National Assembly is expected to conclude deliberations on the budget proposal in the coming weeks.

The NHRC is the federal government agency responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and other relevant local and international laws and statutes.

Based on the NHRC (Amendment) Act, 2010, the Commission is mandated to publish and periodically submit to the President, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, State, and Local Governments, reports on the state of human rights promotion and protection in Nigeria.