The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Leader of the Organised Private Sector in Abuja, Dr Emeka Obegolu, has called on businesses across Africa to place human rights at the centre of their operations.
Dr Obegolu made the call at the just concluded West Africa first Business and Human Rights (BHR) Practitioners’ Certification Programme in Abuja.
He noted that “the private sector has a critical role to play in shaping ethical, inclusive, and sustainable business practices across the continent.”
Dr Obegolu commended the partnership between the African Continental Centre for Business and Human Rights (ACCBHR), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and ACCI, describing the initiative “as timely and essential for strengthening governance frameworks that boost investor confidence and national competitiveness.”
Also, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu emphasised Nigeria’s growing commitment to embedding human rights principles into business operations.
Dr Ojukwu highlighted the increasing global and regional influence of mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence standards, noting that African companies must prepare to align with emerging international obligations.
The Director-General of ACCI, Mr Agabaidu Jideani explained that the certification course was built on the three pillars of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) — Protect, Respect and Remedy.
Serving as Programme Lead, Mr Jideani stated that “the initiative responds directly to Africa’s urgent need for trained professionals who can interpret global BHR standards while applying practical, Africa-centred solutions.”
He announced plans to establish a National BHR Practitioners’ Roster to provide technical support for the implementation and monitoring of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Mr Jideani said that participants would undertake open-book assessments as the final stage before the issuance of their certificates.
According to him, the success of the Abuja programme demonstrates Africa’s readiness not only to meet global compliance expectations but to also contribute home-grown innovations to the global Business and Human Rights ecosystem.
Also speaking, the Business and Human Rights Desk Officer at the NHRC, Mrs Pwamdundi Oko, provided an in-depth analysis of the four pillars of Nigeria’s NAP and its implementation challenges.
The ACCBHR further confirmed that the certification programme will be rolled out in East Africa (Nairobi) and Southern Africa (Johannesburg) in 2026, with advanced modules already under development.
Olusola Akintonde