The Significance and Limits of NGOs in Human Rights Protection in Nigeria

Abstract

Although concern for human rights dates back to antiquity, through the various stages of socio-economic formations up to the modern era, and there are many international human rights instruments to which many nations across the globe are signatories, it is lamentable that all over the world egregious human rights violations have not abated.  This is because of lack of fidelity to human rights goals by governments and the virtual failure of executive agencies established to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights.  This paper therefore examines the imperative need for NGOs in human rights protection.  The paper also provides historical sketch of human rights NGOs and highlights their challenges.  It concludes by charting an agenda to surmount the challenges with a view that human rights NGOs in Nigeria will be able to optimally fill the gap created by the failure of executive agencies.