The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, as it convened a 3-day stakeholder review meeting in Lagos to assess the implementation of the HIV and AIDS Anti-Discrimination Act, 2014.
In his opening address at the event which took place in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, highlighted the critical importance of the forum in Nigeria's journey towards a more inclusive and rights-respecting society.
The event, supported by the Global Fund and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, healthcare professionals, and community leaders.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized that despite the significant progress made since the passage of the 2014 Act—which prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their HIV status—gaps in awareness, enforcement, and access to justice remain pervasive.
He lamented that discrimination continues to be reported across workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare settings, and religious organizations, thereby violating the fundamental rights of persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
"The Commission believes that these forms of discrimination have persisted for far too long," The learned Silk stated. "As Nigeria's foremost human rights institution, it is our duty to rally stakeholders at national, state, and local levels to stem this tide and achieve a zero-discrimination environment as a human rights and development imperative."
He noted that the review meeting was not only an opportunity to assess the implementation of the law but also to examine the Act itself in order to address existing gaps.
As part of the broader Global Fund's Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) implementation, the NHRC is leading efforts to address barriers to accessing justice and services for people living with HIV and other vulnerable populations. The Commission aims to enhance national capacity for promoting human rights-based approaches in Nigeria's HIV response, in alignment with international best practices and legal obligations.
Highlighting the NHRC's statutory mandate under the National Human Rights Commission Act (as amended), the number one rights officer in Nigeria underscored the Commission's commitment to undertaking research, public education, and policy advocacy in the area of human rights, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations.
"Together, we can make significant strides toward ending stigma and ensuring that no Nigerian faces discrimination due to their HIV status."
Also speaking at the event was the Deputy Director of Community and Prevention Care Services at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Chukwugozie Ujam, who spoke on the agency's achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS since it's discovery in the early 1980s.
According to Dr Ujam, NACA has consistently supported all efforts not only in the treatment, prevention, but also non-discrimination of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The NACA official noted that while Nigeria had signed agreement on anti-discriminatory laws, stigma and discrimination still abounds. He therefore urged participants and citizens generally, to identify and seek to address acts of discrimination through education.
