By Dangwam Jude Dabee
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised concerns over the rising number of complaints relating to human rights violations in Nigeria, following the recording of 338,810 complaints nationwide in September 2026, representing an increase of about 14 per cent from the previous month.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, disclosed this while presenting the September 2026 edition of the NHRC’s Monthly Human Rights Situation Dashboard, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to documenting abuses, improving access to justice and strengthening accountability among public institutions.
According to Ojukwu, “the Commission recorded 40,867 additional complaints in September compared with the 297,943 complaints documented in August 2026,” a development he said demands sustained attention from relevant authorities and stakeholders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN.
He described the monthly dashboard as an important instrument for promoting transparency, accountability and evidence-based human rights protection, noting that it provides an opportunity to assess the country’s human rights situation, identify emerging patterns of violations and highlight issues requiring urgent intervention.
Ojukwu stressed that the significance of the report extends beyond the figures, emphasising that every complaint represents a person, family or community that may have suffered a violation of its fundamental rights.
“The dashboard is more than a statistical report. We must always remember that behind every complaint is a person, a family or a community whose rights may have been violated,” he said.
He added that the Commission has a responsibility to ensure that the information gathered through its nationwide operations translates into meaningful action, effective remedies for victims and stronger protection for Nigerians.
“It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that the information we collect translates into meaningful action, effective remedies and stronger protection for all Nigerians,” Ojukwu stated
The NHRC Chief reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to use the dashboard not merely as a record of reported violations but as a tool for drawing attention to human rights concerns and encouraging appropriate responses from institutions responsible for protecting citizens’ rights.
The September figures, which reflect complaints recorded across the Commission’s offices nationwide, underscore the need for continued scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights situation and concerted efforts to ensure that reported violations received appropriate attention and that victims can access justice.
