NHRC, NEITI Strengthen Partnership to Promote Human Rights and Good Governance in Extractive Sector

By Toffa Momoh | Abuja

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration among government agencies to promote good governance across all sectors of the country.

Dr. Ojukwu made the call while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, who paid a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the protection of the civic space has been identified as a key priority in the Commission’s work, noting that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must be allowed to freely carry out their mandates without hindrance. According to him, effective inter-agency collaboration is critical to strengthening transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights, particularly within the extractive sector, which he said is vital to national development.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, explained that the partnership was deliberately conceived to complement the mandate of the NHRC and ensure the delivery of measurable impact. He noted that the collaboration aligns with NEITI’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the extractive sector while supporting the promotion and protection of human rights.

Hon. Sarkin Adar added that the partnership will enhance information sharing on extractive governance and human rights by improving access to credible data and knowledge. He emphasized that success would be measured through tangible actions that strengthen civic space engagement and contribute to improved governance outcomes.

Also speaking, the representative of Civil Society on the NEITI Board, Dr. Erisa Danladi, pledged the commitment of CSOs to the partnership, describing the civic space as a fundamental pillar of society that enables civic participation, data gathering, and the expression of concerns, including those related to the extractive industry.

She reaffirmed the commitment of CSOs to advancing and protecting the civic space in Nigeria and expressed optimism for an actionable and impactful collaboration.

The Executive Director of the Koyenum Immalah Foundation and member of the Global Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Ms. Faith Nwadishi, stated that the partnership would position Nigeria at the forefront of EITI international standards, which serve as key indices for measuring respect for civic space, particularly within the extractive industry.

The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NHRC and NEITI aimed at promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria’s extractive sector through enhanced cooperation, information sharing, and joint initiatives to advance transparency, accountability, and human rights compliance.