NHRC Warns Against Hate Speech

The National Human Rights Commission has warned against the rising spread of hate speech, particularly as it takes on new and more dangerous trends through digital technologies powered mainly by artificial intelligence.

The executive secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who raised the alarm yesterday at a round-table organised for journalists and stakeholders in commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech in Abuja, also described the situation as a direct attack on democratic values and social cohesion.

Ojukwu said hate speech not only violates the right to dignity of the human person but also impedes one’s right to be free from discrimination as well as participate in public life without fear of suppression or violence.

The executive secretary revealed that over the years, the NHRC has taken significant steps to confront hate speech and its multi-polar challenges: “In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, the Commission launched the Mobilising Voters for Elections (MOVE) Project, which focused on promoting access, participation, and accountability. Recognising the toxic role of hate speech in electoral processes, the MOVE Project identified it as a significant obstacle to voter inclusion.

“The Commission also established the National Hate Speech Register to record incidents and trends nationwide, allowing for real-time documentation and response. We have conducted specialised training for our staff nationwide to monitor and report hate speech across both traditional and digital media”, he revealed.

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Recognising the centrality of the media in combating hate speech, Ojukwu said his Commission has issued an Advisory to journalists on the Role of Media in Countering and Reporting Hate Speech. This, he said, will help recognise the media’s powerful influence and the need to strengthen responsible journalism.

While extending profound appreciation to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and the entire United Nations system in Nigeria for your continued support and commitment to advancing human rights in the country, the senior advocate said this year’s theme, “Hate Speech and Artificial Intelligence”, invites citizens to examine the growing intersection between technology and human rights and challenges everyone to reflect on the double-edged nature of AI as both a tool for development and a potential amplifier of harmful narratives.

He further reiterated that his office is the lead institution that protects and promotes human rights in Nigeria. In April 2025, they issued a major Advisory Opinion on the Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression in Nigeria in response to concerns about the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024, particularly Section 24, which was criticised for restricting freedom of expression.

In her remark, the human rights adviser to the UN Resident and humanitarian coordinator, Ms Ajuwa Kufour, revealed that hate speech is on the rise worldwide, showing that it is more prevalent on social media where a lot of misinformation is peddled daily.

Kufour, who said tackling hate speech has become an excellent priority for her organisation, also said they are partnering with the NHRC to tackle the surge in hate speech online and offline.

“Hate speech is on the rise worldwide. It is more on social media; social media has given a lot of misinformation”.

“Hate speech has turned into a business; it is used as a weapon to destroy. The mix between hate speech and AI is hazardous. So, tackling hate speech has become a great priority for the UN”, she stressed.