Nigeria Declares Bid for UN Human Rights Council Seat
Nigeria has formally declared its candidacy for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term, reaffirming its commitment to global human rights advocacy and multilateral cooperation.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who described the Council as a vital platform for promoting dialogue, strengthening accountability, and advancing international human rights standard.
According to Tuggar, Nigeria’s bid reflects its dedication to protecting fundamental freedoms, promoting religious tolerance, and strengthening the rule of law.
He stated that the country intends to contribute constructively to global human rights discussions while reinforcing reforms at home.
The minister highlighted several priority areas underpinning Nigeria’s campaign, including the expansion of safe school initiatives, improved child protection frameworks, and the integration of international human rights and humanitarian law into internal security operations.
He also linked Nigeria’s human rights agenda to broader economic reforms, social protection programmes, and climate-related commitments. Within the African group, competition for seats is often keen. Countries such as Angola, Egypt, Mauritius, and South Africa are among recent African representatives elected to the Council.
Nigeria’s bid comes amid continued scrutiny of its domestic human rights record.
The National Human Rights Commission has reported millions of complaints in recent years, reflecting persistent challenges ranging from security-related abuses to socio-economic rights concerns.
Observers note that securing a Council seat could increase international expectations for measurable reforms and accountability.
Nigeria has formally declared its candidacy for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term, reaffirming its commitment to global human rights advocacy and multilateral cooperation.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who described the Council as a vital platform for promoting dialogue, strengthening accountability, and advancing international human rights standards.
According to Tuggar, Nigeria’s bid reflects its dedication to protecting fundamental freedoms, promoting religious tolerance, and strengthening the rule of law. He stated that the country intends to contribute constructively to global human rights discussions while reinforcing reforms at home.
The minister highlighted several priority areas underpinning Nigeria’s campaign, including the expansion of safe school initiatives, improved child protection frameworks, and the integration of international human rights and humanitarian law into internal security operations.
He also linked Nigeria’s human rights agenda to broader economic reforms, social protection programmes, and climate-related commitments. Within the African group, competition for seats is often keen. Countries such as Angola, Egypt, Mauritius, and South Africa are among recent African representatives elected to the Council.
Nigeria’s bid comes amid continued scrutiny of its domestic human rights record. The National Human Rights Commission has reported millions of complaints in recent years, reflecting persistent challenges ranging from security-related abuses to socio-economic rights concerns. Observers note that securing a Council seat could increase international expectations for measurable reforms and accountability.
