Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to promote and protect human rights through constitutional guarantees and embedding the rights into security operations.
He gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when he declared open the 2026 High-Level International Humanitarian Law Dialogue.
He restated the government’s commitment to international cooperation and universal application of international humanitarian law in every theatre of conflict.
He said, ‘President Bola Tinubu’s administration has adopted a comprehensive response to tackle insecurity and address conflicts, including kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
“I wish to emphasise Nigeria’s unwavering determination to promote and protect human rights while ensuring effective implementation of international humanitarian law treaties.
“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, recognises insecurity as the greatest threat to peace and development. Our government accords highest priority to comprehensive response that combines kinetic and non-kinetic measures in addressing conflicts.”
He pointed out that in achieving success, the administration continued to evolve legal frameworks in response to emerging realities.
Mr Shettima said Mr Tinubu recently appended his assent to the domestication of the African Union Kampala Convention.
According to him, this is in a bid to establish a robust and context-specific legal framework for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
The vice president observed that the dialogue came at a more defining moment when Nigeria’s shared humanity was under immense strain and when the laws meant to uphold order were too often treated as expendable inconveniences.
Mr Shettima noted that the realities had not spared Nigeria either, as the nation continues to confront persistent insurgency, terrorism and other forms of violent conflicts.
He added that “beyond the immediate toll of these hostilities, we are also managing the deeper, long-term strain they impose on our communities and institutions.
“It is precisely because of these experiences that Nigeria stands resolute in championing this global movement.”
Mr Shettima said that the dialogue was convened to reinforce enduring principles that govern the conduct of armed conflict, particularly the imperative of limiting harm in contemporary warfare.
He stated, “It is also a moment to reflect and return to the moral centre of international humanitarian law.”
He commended the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, and other development partners for their support.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), underscored the government’s efforts to domesticate humanitarian law treaties.
He stated that new laws and investments in correctional facilities aim to ensure humane treatment, rehabilitation, and adherence to global human rights standards.
Mr Fagbemi added, “Nigeria is strengthening the capacity of its military and law enforcement agencies by embedding international humanitarian law principles into training and operations.”
He noted that the country was also translating the laws into local languages to ensure accessibility in conflict-affected areas.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, said the dialogue was an opportunity for the judiciary to further maintain its stand on the promotion of the rule of law within the nation’s security architecture.
Ms Jeddy-Agba, who is also the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, said, “Nigeria will continue to identify with the Geneva Convention on warfare. We are today reminded that our work is a vital checkpoint in embedding the rule of law within our national security architecture.
“The importance of international humanitarian law has never been more critical, as we witness heightened disregard for civilian protection in contemporary global warfare.
“Nigeria recognises that as conflict dynamics evolve, particularly in asymmetric environments, our political will must be the engine that drives compliance from the negotiating tables in Geneva to our own frontlines.”
(NAN)
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