By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, has received the 2026 UTA International Humanitarian Award in recognition of his leadership and sustained commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.
The award was presented by the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation (UTA), Nigeria Chapter, at a ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as part of activities marking World Humanitarian Day 2026, the statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) made available to Precise Post on Friday said.
UTA, a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organisation with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), recognised Ojukwu for his contributions to advancing human dignity, access to justice and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised persons.
Among the interventions highlighted by UTA were the provision of economic empowerment to 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 persons.
The interventions reflect the NHRC’s victim-centred approach, which extends beyond documenting human rights violations to pursuing accountability, remedies, restoration and opportunities for affected persons to rebuild their lives.
Under Ojukwu’s leadership, the Commission has continued to strengthen its response to human rights violations arising from conflict, poverty, displacement and other forms of vulnerability.
The 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.
The award ceremony brought together government officials, diplomats, humanitarian actors and other stakeholders committed to promoting human dignity and addressing humanitarian challenges.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, was represented at the event by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Abubakar Umar.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Zamfara State Governor, represented by 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.
Reacting to the honour, Ojukwu described the award 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.
He 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.
