The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has honoured the Ford Foundation for its consistent support in promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria, highlighting a partnership that has significantly improved access to justice and strengthened institutional capacity.
The recognition was announced during a ceremony held on Friday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where the NHRC presented an Award of Appreciation to the Foundation. The award was received by the Foundation’s West Africa Regional Director, ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, during a meeting with the Commission’s directors and senior officials.
Speaking at the event, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, praised the Foundation’s unwavering commitment, particularly its role in supporting initiatives that expand access to justice and enhance the Commission’s effectiveness. He noted that given the scale and complexity of human rights issues in Nigeria, the Commission cannot operate alone.
According to him, strong and sustained collaboration with development partners is crucial to turning human rights policies into real, meaningful outcomes for citizens.
In her response, Aniagolu-Okoye described the recognition as both meaningful and motivating, reaffirming the Ford Foundation’s dedication to advancing human rights. She explained that beyond raising awareness, the Foundation focuses on ensuring that people can actually seek justice when their rights are violated.
However, she pointed out that awareness alone is not enough. Without effective systems to enforce rights, gaps can emerge between what people know and what they can access, potentially weakening public trust in institutions.
“People develop trust in institutions when they experience fairness and easy access to justice,” she said, stressing the importance of building strong and reliable systems for long-term human rights protection.
The engagement also highlighted the need for continued collaboration between the NHRC and its partners to address emerging human rights challenges across the country.
In his vote of thanks, the Commission’s Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hilary Ogbonna, expressed gratitude for the Ford Foundation’s lasting support. He referenced key initiatives such as the MOVE project and the Commission’s dashboard system, noting that many of these developments were made possible through the Foundation’s early backing.
Ogbonna also commended the leadership of the Executive Secretary and the dedication of the Commission’s directors, whose efforts have helped sustain progress despite ongoing challenges. He further acknowledged the media as a crucial partner, describing it as the “fourth estate” that plays a key role in highlighting and documenting human rights issues.
Overall, the event reinforced the shared commitment between the NHRC and its partners to improve justice delivery and strengthen the protection of human rights in Nigeria.
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