The Federal Government has urged India to strengthen safeguards for Nigerians in its prisons, expressing concern over the welfare, dignity and protection of their fundamental rights while in custody.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal in Abuja during a meeting with a joint delegation of the National Human Rights Commissions of Nigeria and India, amid efforts by both countries to deepen cooperation on human rights protection.
The minister called on the Indian authorities to ensure that Nigerians serving jail terms or held in custodial centres are treated humanely and given adequate attention, irrespective of their circumstances.
She said the welfare of Nigerians in foreign detention facilities should remain a priority in Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement, stressing that the protection of vulnerable persons and access to justice must form the foundation of bilateral human rights cooperation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu spoke against the backdrop of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the human rights commissions of both countries, describing the agreement as an opportunity to translate their longstanding diplomatic relations into practical institutional collaboration.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the minister said the partnership would provide an avenue for strengthening access to justice, improving complaint-handling mechanisms and ensuring that vulnerable persons receive essential support and services.
She noted that Nigeria and India, as members of the Global South, could work together to advance a more inclusive international human rights system.
The agreement is expected to facilitate technical exchanges, institutional cooperation and the sharing of experiences and best practices between the two national human rights institutions.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chief Anthony Ojukwu, said the MoU would strengthen cooperation in complaint management, human rights compliance in security sector governance and joint research on international law and emerging human rights issues.
He also highlighted the importance of working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that international human rights standards are reflected in Nigeria’s treaty obligations and diplomatic engagements.
Chairperson of India’s National Human Rights Commission, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, described the agreement as an opportunity for institutional learning and capacity development through the exchange of experiences between the two countries.
He observed that Nigeria and India shared important similarities in population, ethnic and religious diversity, cultural heritage and democratic aspirations, providing a strong basis for cooperation.
The foreign affairs minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen human rights engagement with India and other international partners.
She appreciated United Nations member states for supporting Nigeria’s election to the Human Rights Council for the 2027–2028 term, pledging that the country would discharge its responsibilities in line with the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
She said Nigeria’s engagement would be guided by objectivity, non-selectivity and constructive international cooperation.
The delegation was jointly led by Ojukwu and Ramasubramanian during the visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
