Tinubu Nominates Channels TV’s Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, Eze Anaba of Vanguard News Paper, 13 Others for NHRC Board Reconstitution
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Channels TV’s Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, Eze Anaba and 13 others for appointment into the National Human Rights Commission board, pending Senate confirmation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of 15 nominees for the reconstitution of the board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The request was conveyed in a letter read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the nominations to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening.
According to the President, the nominations are in line with the provisions of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers the President to constitute the board subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Among those nominated are Channels Television presenter Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Eze Anaba, and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been nominated to serve as Chairperson of the Board.
Also on the list is Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), who is expected to continue as the Executive Secretary of the commission.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr Edmund Chinonye, Mr Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Patience Patrick, and Hawwa Ibrahim.
President Tinubu explained that the reconstitution of the board is necessary to strengthen the NHRC’s institutional capacity and improve its effectiveness in carrying out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
He noted that the commission remains central to Nigeria’s efforts to uphold human rights standards, promote justice, and ensure accountability across public institutions.
The President stated that the appointments were designed to position the commission for stronger oversight at a time when public demand for protection of civil liberties and accountability continues to rise.
Following the reading of the letter, the Senate directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to conduct the screening exercise and submit its report within two weeks.
If confirmed, the new board members will be expected to provide strategic leadership for the commission and reinforce its mandate of investigating human rights abuses, advising government institutions, and promoting adherence to national and international human rights obligations.
The move is expected to further strengthen the NHRC’s role in addressing issues relating to unlawful detention, abuse of rights, access to justice, and institutional accountability.
Observers say the inclusion of professionals from media, law enforcement, diplomacy, and the legal profession reflects a broad-based effort to bring diverse expertise into the commission’s leadership structure.
The National Human Rights Commission has over the years played a significant role in monitoring the human rights environment in Nigeria and responding to complaints involving violations by both state and non-state actors.
The planned reconstitution comes at a time when concerns over human rights protection, law enforcement accountability, and civic freedoms remain prominent in national discourse.