Tinubu Submits 15 Nominees for NHRC Board Reconstitution

President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm 15 nominees for the reconstitution of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) board. This move aims to enhance the country's human rights protection framework.

The request was conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during a plenary session on Tuesday. The proposed chairman of the board is Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, with Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, serving as the executive secretary.

The list includes 13 nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, notably including journalist Ayo Adewuyi from Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and legal practitioner Chinony Obiaku, SAN. The nominations are made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act 2010, which empowers the President to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

The Senate has been asked to refer the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for screening, with a report expected within two weeks. The confirmation of the new board is anticipated to reinforce the NHRC's oversight function, especially amid growing concerns regarding human rights protections in Nigeria.