Nigeria Commended For Adopting National Action Plan On Business And Human Rights  

The Nigerian government has been commended for approving the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

The Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, who made the commendation in a Press Statement, noted that businesses have a role in protecting human rights because they deal with assets that belong to communities.

She expressed optimism that when the Action Plan is effectively operationalized, the government’s Duty to Protect in the context of business and how businesses operate and its responsibilities are pertinently outlined.

Abiodun Baiyewu said the Action Plan will also ensure Access to Remedy for individuals or communities adversely affected by business operations in Nigeria, especially in the mining/minerals sector.

“Although businesses have self-interest in profit, businesses cannot continue to be indifferent in protecting human rights.” Baiyewu said.

In line with the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, the National Business and Human Rights Roundtable, in collaboration with Global Rights, and the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, are organizing the 2023 National Business and Human Rights Roundtable (NBHR2), scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday, August 17 and 18, respectively, in Lagos.

The 2023 event, themed “Giving Effect to the BHR National Action Plan in Nigeria,” builds upon the success of the 2022 Roundtable.

In a Joint Statement by the organisers, the 2023 National Business and Human Rights Roundtable aims to facilitate comprehensive understanding and effective implementation of Nigeria’s recently approved “National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.”

The Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo, shared her optimism about the Roundtable, stating, The NBH2R will help businesses better understand common human rights issues, such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination, gender equality, living wages, and indigenous people.

“These issues may arise either through their own operations or their supply chain, and therefore, it is imperative to provide guidance on how they can be managed. Businesses must integrate human rights into their practices, particularly in complex social, political, and economic contexts where there may not be straightforward solutions to human rights impacts in their operations and supply chains,” according to Naomi Nwokolo.

The Founder/CEO, Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) and Chair of the Steering Committee on National Business and Human Rights Roundtable in Nigeria, Soji Apampa, noted that ”this year’s convening is poised to facilitate a shared understanding of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights by businesses, regulators, civil society organisations, business host communities, media and other stakeholders and to promote collective perspectives on strategies for implementing the recently approved National Action Plan.”

Dialogue

The National Business and Human Rights Roundtable 2023 will feature a series of presentations, panel discussions and  interactive sessions.

These activities are meticulously designed to foster dialogue, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to challenges at the intersection of business and human rights.

The 2023 National Business and Human Rights Roundtable is expected to foster collaboration, identify best practices, and develop a network of stakeholders committed to promoting responsible business practices and human rights.

The Roundtable was initiated in 2013, and its membership is constituted in consultation amongst the convening entities and in collaboration with the organised private sector and investment community in Nigeria, labour, security agencies, the relevant departments of government, and civil society.

Olusola Akintonde