Nigeria and India have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in promoting and protecting human rights following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between the National Human Rights Commissions of both countries.
The development was highlighted during a courtesy visit by a joint delegation of the two commissions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the delegation was led by the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chief Anthony Ojukwu, and the Chairperson of India’s National Human Rights Commission, Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a timely initiative that would translate longstanding diplomatic relations between both countries into practical institutional cooperation.
She said the MoU would strengthen access to justice, improve complaint-handling mechanisms and protect vulnerable persons, particularly by ensuring equitable access to essential services.
The minister noted that Nigeria and India, as members of the Global South, had opportunities to contribute to a more inclusive international human rights system through stronger institutional partnerships and diplomatic engagement.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its obligations under the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights following the country’s election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027–2028 term.
She said Nigeria’s engagement would be guided by the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity and constructive international engagement.
The minister also raised concerns over the treatment of Nigerian citizens in custodial centres in India, calling for attention to their welfare, dignity and fundamental human rights.
Earlier, Ojukwu described the MoU as an important framework for strengthening institutional cooperation and technical exchanges between the two commissions.
He said the partnership would focus on improving complaint-management mechanisms, strengthening human rights compliance in security sector governance and promoting joint research on international law and emerging human rights issues.
He also stressed the importance of collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to integrate international human rights standards into Nigeria’s treaty obligations and diplomatic engagements.
On his part, Ramasubramanian highlighted the longstanding historical and diplomatic ties between both countries.
He noted their similarities in population size, ethnic and religious diversity, cultural heritage and democratic aspirations, describing the agreement as an important step towards practical cooperation and institutional learning.
According to him, the MoU would facilitate capacity development through the exchange of experiences and best practices between the two human rights institutions.
The engagement reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to protecting fundamental freedoms, strengthening human rights institutions and deepening bilateral cooperation.
