Nigeria’s Federal Government says it is intensifying efforts to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to address the country’s security challenges while ensuring compliance with human rights and international humanitarian standards.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, stated this on Thursday at the 2026 high-level dialogue of the National Committee for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law Treaties in Nigeria (NCIHLIN) in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights while tackling insecurity.
He said the Tinubu administration is adopting a coordinated approach that aligns domestic laws with international obligations to improve security governance and accountability.
Shettima noted that ongoing reforms aim to strengthen the justice system and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to insurgency-driven conflicts while safeguarding civilians.
He urged stakeholders to critically assess evolving security threats and develop practical solutions that promote lasting peace and stability.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, highlighted recent justice sector reforms, including the domestication of international humanitarian law treaties and key legal frameworks such as the Anti-Torture Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He said government is investing in correctional facilities to meet human rights standards, with emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration, while security agencies receive training on compliance with international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
Fagbemi also noted ongoing cooperation with international institutions to strengthen justice delivery and peacebuilding, while commending President Bola Tinubu’s support for legal reforms.
Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, stressed the importance of implementing international humanitarian law consistently across security operations and governance structures.
She said the committee continues to play a key role in domestication of global legal standards, including additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, pledged legislative support for treaty implementation, assuring that relevant bills would receive priority attention at the National Assembly.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting human rights while addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
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