By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Precise Post) — The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, on Wednesday stressed the importance of climate justice, calling on governments, institutions, and civil society organisations to strengthen climate policies, hold polluters accountable, and ensure public participation in climate decision-making processes.
Ojukwu made the call at the 2025 Regional Africa Human Rights Academic Network Conference held in Abuja with the theme: ” Human Rights: Environment and Climate Change: Access to Environment and Climate Justice within Continental and Regional Human Rights Systems in Africa”.
In his opening remarks, Ojukwu emphasized the urgent need for action in addressing climate change, which he described as not only an environmental issue but also a severe human rights crisis. He highlighted that while Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it bears the brunt of climate impacts, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and droughts that threaten livelihoods across the continent.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a present-day reality that disproportionately affects marginalized communities in Africa. The impacts on human rights—such as the right to life, food, water, health, and shelter—are devastating,” Ojukwu said.
In a move to enhance NHRC’s efforts in addressing these challenges, Ojukwu announced the establishment of a new Climate Change Unit within the commission. This unit will focus on advocacy, collaboration, and research to promote human rights in the context of climate change. He also revealed plans for a new Working Group on Climate Change and Human Rights, which will unite stakeholders from various sectors to address the crisis in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
Ojukwu expressed gratitude to the Raoul Wallenberg Institute and the University of Nigeria for their support in organizing the conference and facilitating the participation of human rights institutions from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia. He also expressed personal pride in co-hosting the conference as an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, underscoring the significance of the event in advancing environmental and climate justice in Africa.
The conference is expected to spark important discussions and collaborations aimed at addressing the devastating effects of climate change on human rights and fostering sustainable solutions for the future.
The NHRC Scribe concluded with a call to action for all attendees to contribute to the creation of a lasting, positive change in the pursuit of climate justice.
Precise Post recalls that the conference, hosted by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, brought together experts, policymakers, human rights advocates, and academics from across Africa to explore solutions to the climate crisis and its implications for human rights.
