UTA Honours NHRC Boss With International Humanitarian Award

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, has been honoured with the 2026 UTA International Humanitarian Award for his leadership and sustained commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.

The award was presented to Ojukwu by the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation (UTA), Nigeria chapter, at a ceremony in Abuja, as part of activities marking World Humanitarian Day 2026.

According to a statement by the NHRC director of corporate affairs and external linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, UTA recognised Ojukwu for his contributions to advancing human dignity, access to justice and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised persons.

The statement said the recognition was also based on several interventions under Ojukwu’s leadership, including economic empowerment for victims of human rights violations, compensation and restorative support for victims, transitional and restorative justice initiatives in the North-East, as well as efforts to improve access to justice for poor and marginalised Nigerians.

The Commission said the interventions reflected its victim-centred approach, which goes beyond documenting human rights violations to pursuing accountability, remedies, restoration and opportunities for affected persons to rebuild their lives.

It added that under Ojukwu’s leadership, the NHRC had continued to strengthen its response to violations arising from conflict, poverty, displacement and other forms of vulnerability.

According to the statement, the Commission’s approach is anchored on the principle that humanitarian action must protect not only the immediate welfare of affected persons, but also their dignity, rights and long-term wellbeing.

Reacting to the award, Ojukwu described the honour as a reminder of the importance of humanitarian service in improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“As a humanitarian myself, this award has stimulated me to do more,” he said.

The NHRC boss added that the recognition reinforced the need to place victims, dignity and justice at the centre of human rights protection, particularly as Nigeria continues to confront complex humanitarian and human rights challenges.

The award ceremony attracted government officials, diplomats, humanitarian actors and other stakeholders committed to promoting human dignity and addressing humanitarian challenges.

The vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, was represented at the event by the director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Abubakar Umar.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Zamfara State governor, including his chief of staff, Mouktar Mohammed Lugga; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro; members of the diplomatic corps; UTA International Global Secretary-General, Dr. (Amb.) Eya Essif; and the Country President of UTA-Nigeria, Amb. Princess Abigail Amalaha.

UTA is a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organisation with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).