Nigerian rights groups say reforms must improve daily life and security
Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission and civil society groups RULAAC and CISLAC have urged the government to ensure economic reforms produce better living conditions, stronger rights protection and greater security. Their Independence Day messages said reform success should be judged by its effect on ordinary citizens, not economic indicators alone.
Nigeria’s economic reforms must lead to better living conditions, stronger rights protection and improved security, three rights and civil society organisations said in messages marking the country’s 66th Independence anniversary. The National Human Rights Commission, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre said the success of reforms should ultimately be judged by their impact on ordinary Nigerians. The organisations linked economic progress to citizens’ welfare and dignity, saying improved economic indicators would have limited meaning if people continued to struggle with basic needs, insecurity and inadequate protection of their rights.
The groups differed in emphasis. The NHRC highlighted rights-based development and equal access to justice. RULAAC examined President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address and raised concerns about the economy, security, governance and the 2027 elections.
CISLAC focused on impunity, democratic institutions and civic freedoms. RULAAC acknowledged references in Tinubu’s address to economic growth, lower inflation, increased foreign reserves, greater foreign-exchange stability and higher non-oil exports. Its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said success should instead be visible in food, electricity, education and security.
RULAAC called for transparent accounts of savings and additional revenues generated by reforms, as well as information on spending on social protection, healthcare, education, transport, employment and infrastructure. It also said food, housing and other essentials remained unaffordable for many households. The organisation said insecurity continued to threaten farmers, businesses and families, and called for police reform, civilian oversight and accountability for alleged abuses by security personnel.
It also urged protection for journalists, rights defenders and peaceful assembly. The NHRC said reform outcomes should be measured by their effect on citizens’ lives, rights and dignity. Nigeria became independent from British rule on October 1, 1960.
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