The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has screened and cleared 16 nominees recommended by President Bola Tinubu to serve on the governing board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The screening exercise, led by Committee Chairman Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, marks a crucial step in reconstituting the NHRC board in accordance with Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010. The committee’s formal report has been forwarded to the Senate for final consideration and confirmation during an upcoming plenary session.
The proposed 16 member governing board brings together key figures from journalism, law, academia, public administration, and security services:
Chairperson Designate: Salamatu Suleiman
Executive Secretary: Anthony Ojukwu, SAN
Prominent Nominees:
Eze Anaba (President, Nigerian Guild of Editors & Editor, Vanguard Newspapers)
Maupe Ogun-Yusuf (Channels Television)
Ayo Adewuyi (Nigerian Television Authority)
Chinonye Obiaku, SAN
Prof. Adedeji Ogunji
Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku
Roseline Tasha; Edmund Chinonye; Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo; Kingsley Chidozie; Mohammed Adelodu; Otunba Francis Meshioye; Patience Patrick; Hawwa Ibrahim; and retired Assistant Controller-General of Corrections Felix Lawrence.
The board also includes ex-officio statutory representatives from the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Foreign Affairs.
Speaking following the screening, Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, expressed optimism regarding the board’s potential to advance human rights across the country while noting that full confirmation remains subject to plenary approval.
I’ve done this human rights thing all my life. It has gone together with my journalism job, so it’s going to be a continuation of what I’ve been doing. With the members we have in this council, Nigeria will benefit from a very good National Human Rights Commission.
Eze Anaba, Nominee & NGE President.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Adeniyi confirmed that following the Senate’s deliberations at plenary, the final decision will be officially communicated to the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Representing the committee during proceedings, Senator Peter Jiya (Niger South) urged the nominees to uphold integrity, patriotism and the public interest above personal considerations.
The commission can make a meaningful difference in protecting human rights if its governing board approaches its responsibilities with integrity and a strong sense of public service.
Senator Peter Jiya, Niger South.
The NHRC is statutory mandated to promote, protect, and investigate human rights standards across Nigeria. While the committee’s clearance clears a major legislative hurdle, the nominees await the Senate’s final vote at plenary before taking office.
