By Oluwabukunmi
International human rights scholar and Chief Executive Officer of AfriRIGHTS, Professor Uchenna Emelonye, has called for a legally enforceable framework to ensure that Nigerian businesses comply with policies and codes of conduct that protect human rights in their operations.
Emelonye, who also serves as a Professor of Law at Bournemouth University, United Kingdom, made the call during a United Nations Business and Human Rights Panel Discussion, where he featured as a panellist.
The event, moderated by Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), featured global participants, including Dr. Ayo Sotinrin, Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture.
Speaking on the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Operationalising Human Rights in Nigeria’s Industrial and Energy Transition,” Emelonye emphasised the urgent need for Nigerian businesses to align profit-making with human rights standards, labour protections, and environmental sustainability.
He noted that while many firms prioritise financial gains, their operations often come at the expense of local communities and workers’ rights.
“Businesses in Nigeria must act responsibly and place people at the centre of profit. There should be a shift from voluntary compliance to enforceable obligations,” Emelonye said.
The former Senior United Nations Envoy also proposed the introduction of a mandatory Human Rights Impact Assessment for all business ventures, ensuring that rights considerations are embedded at every stage of a project — from design to execution and closure.
Citing the mining sector as an example, Emelonye lamented that host communities are frequently left devastated after companies conclude operations, with little or no restitution.
“This should not be the case if human rights were integral to the project life cycle,” he stressed, urging policymakers to make accountability, restitution, and restoration central to Nigeria’s industrial growth strategy.
