Agencies To Safeguard Civic Space, Strengthen Extractive Sector Accountability

Nigeria’s human rights and transparency watchdogs have moved to deepen cooperation aimed at protecting the civic space and strengthening accountability in the nation’s extractive industry, a sector critical to the country’s economic stability.

Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, made the position known while receiving the executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ojukwu stressed that protecting civic space remained a top priority for the commission, insisting that Civil Society Organisations must operate freely without intimidation or restrictions. He noted that effective collaboration among government institutions is essential to promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights, particularly within the extractive sector which plays a vital role in national development.

NEITI executive secretary, Hon. Sarkin Adar, said the partnership was intentionally designed to complement NHRC’s mandate while ensuring measurable governance outcomes. He explained that the collaboration aligns with NEITI’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive industry while reinforcing human rights protections.

According to him, the partnership will improve information sharing on extractive governance and human rights through enhanced access to credible data and knowledge, adding that success would be measured by tangible actions that strengthen civic engagement and improve governance performance.

Also speaking, Civil Society representative on the NEITI board, Dr. Erisa Danladi, reaffirmed CSOs’ commitment to the initiative, describing civic space as a crucial pillar for democratic participation, information gathering, and public expression, especially on issues relating to the extractive sector.