Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the administration of Bola Tinubu remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens.
He gave the assurance in Abuja during the 2026 High-Level Dialogue of the National Committee for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law Treaties in Nigeria (NCIHLIN). According to him, the Federal Government is focused on strengthening legal frameworks to tackle the country’s security challenges, with efforts already underway to align national laws with international treaties.
Shettima noted that recent developments across the country require urgent reforms and called on stakeholders to go beyond discussions by proposing practical solutions that can restore peace and stability.
He also praised the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, describing him as one of Nigeria’s finest legal minds and commending his role in driving justice sector reforms.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, applauded the Justice Ministry’s efforts, noting that the engagement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to addressing complex humanitarian and security issues. He emphasised that the legislature has a crucial role to play in ensuring that international humanitarian treaties are properly domesticated and implemented.
Kalu urged stakeholders to move from dialogue to action, assuring that the House of Representatives is ready to work closely with the executive to achieve meaningful progress.
In his remarks, Fagbemi highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s justice system to meet both local and international standards. He pointed to key achievements such as the domestication of international humanitarian law treaties and the implementation of laws like the Anti-Torture Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He also revealed that the government is investing in improving correctional facilities to meet human rights standards, with a renewed focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
On security, the minister said Nigerian forces are being trained to operate in line with global humanitarian principles, including the Geneva Conventions, ensuring respect for human rights during operations.
Fagbemi added that Nigeria’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court is part of broader efforts to strengthen the justice system and promote global peace and accountability.
Also speaking, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Chairperson of NCIHLIN, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, stressed the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, especially at a time when civilian protection is increasingly under threat in global conflicts.
She said Nigeria must continue to ensure that humanitarian principles are fully integrated into both its legal system and security operations, so that respect for human rights becomes a core part of governance and military practice.
