Global Rights NG

Global Rights (Nigeria Office).
Human Rights and Governance Capacity Building NGO

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

A mining company's presence in a community is not sustained by its operations alone, but by the trust it builds with the people whose lives and environment it impacts.

A social license to operate is earned, not granted permanently. It grows through meaningful community engagement, transparency, accountability, respect for local voices, and a genuine commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

But what happens when trust breaks down? And how can communities work together to ensure that development does not come at the expense of people or the environment?

Join us for our next virtual learning session as we explore how mining companies earn community trust, what environmental stewardship looks like in practice, and how mining can leave lasting benefits for host communities long after the mine closes.

🗓️ Thursday, 29 October 2026
🕑 2:00PM - 4:00PM WAT
💻 Virtual | https://t.co/9QMWUqDTXO

#SocialLicense #ResponsibleMining #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #MiningGovernance #GlobalRightsng

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

#EndSARS ANNIVERSARY: POLICE MUST PROTECT, NOT HARM CITIZENS

We condemns the reported use of tear gas by the Nigeria Police Force to disperse activists and concerned Nigerians commemorating the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests at Lekki Toll Gate.

The Nigeria Police Force exist to protect citizens, not intimidate, endanger or harm them. Peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, not a threat to public order.

We call on the Nigeria Police Force to respect citizens’ rights, exercise restraint and ensure that the events of 20 October 2020 are never repeated.

The right to remember must not be met with repression.

#EndSARSMemorial
#PoliceBrutality
#EndSARS

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

On 17th September 2026, the Court of Appeal upheld the Federal High Court’s decision striking down eight provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 relating to the regulation of incorporated trustees.

Sections 839, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847 and 848 were held to infringe constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The judgment became public following the release of the Certified True Copy on 2nd October 2026.

What were the provisions about?

The provisions gave the Corporate Affairs Commission wide powers over Incorporated Trustees, including powers to suspend trustees and appoint interim managers, intervene in the management of an association’s affairs, take action in relation to dormant bank accounts, require financial statements, annual returns and accounting records, and exercise other regulatory powers over the affairs and finances of Incorporated Trustees.
The argument was that some of these powers went beyond legitimate regulation and could interfere with constitutionally protected rights, including freedom of association and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The Court of Appeal agreed that Sections 839 and 842–848 of CAMA infringed constitutionally protected rights under Sections 38 and 40 of the Constitution.
The Court held that the restrictions imposed by these provisions were not reasonably justifiable under Section 45(1) of the Constitution.
The Court also affirmed that the person who brought the case had standing to challenge the provisions.

But that's not all.

Other provisions remain before the courts.
Global Rights and NULAI Nigeria are challenging Sections 824, 828(4) and 850(1)(d) & (2)(e), raising questions about CAC’s regulatory powers and their consistency with constitutional protections.
In 2025, the Federal High Court dismissed the case on the preliminary issue of locus standi, without determining the substantive constitutional questions.
The case is currently before the Court of Appeal.

Why do these cases matter?

Civil society organisations need space to organise, speak, advocate and hold institutions accountable.
When laws give regulators broad powers over how these organisations are registered or operated, the limits of those powers matter.
Court judgments like this help define those limits and protect the constitutional space for civic participation.
And that is why what happens in court matters beyond the courtroom.

Follow Global Rights for more updates on the CAMA litigation and what these developments mean for civic space in Nigeria.

#CAMA2020 #CivicSpace #Globalrightsng

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights welcomes the release on bail of Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed, who were arrested and charged in Maiduguri, Borno State, over T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”

While their release is welcome, their arrest and prosecution raise important concerns about the protection of freedom of expression and political dissent in Nigeria.

Expressing a political opinion, including criticism of government or political leaders, is a fundamental part of democratic participation. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, authorities must ensure that citizens are able to express their views peacefully without fear of arbitrary arrest, detention or intimidation.

Global Rights urges security agencies and government authorities to exercise restraint and ensure that criminal laws are not used to suppress legitimate political expression or peaceful dissent.

A healthy democracy must have room for disagreement, criticism and dissent. Protecting that space is essential to credible and inclusive elections in 2027.

#FreedomOfExpression #GlobalRightsng #humanrights

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Nigeria holds minerals that are increasingly important to energy and technology in the global market.
The US wants more secure access to critical minerals. Nigeria wants more investment in its mining sector.
The framework brings those interests together.

So what happens under the framework?
Nigeria and the US will cooperate on geological data and exploration, mineral development and processing, infrastructure, and technical capacity.
The aim is to attract investment across the mineral value chain.

The stated ambition is to build more value in Nigeria through local processing, new skills, quality jobs and Nigerian businesses.
In simple terms: find the minerals, develop them, process more here, create more value here.

But here is what the framework does not yet tell us.
It does not identify the projects that will receive investment.
It does not name the companies that will operate them.
It does not explicitly put in safeguards that secure host communities and their environment.
The next stage is to identify viable projects and establish commercial partnerships.
So the real test is still ahead: will these projects deliver the highest value at the lowest cost to the people and the environments from which they are mined?

That standard is already set in the Constitution.
Section 16(2)(b): the material resources of the nation must be harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.
Section 17(2)(d): the exploitation of human or natural resources for any reason other than the good of the community shall be prevented.
In plain terms, mineral wealth must serve the people. Every project should be measured against this.

Does the value stay in Nigeria?
Exporting raw ore sends jobs, skills and revenue abroad.
Nigeria should require and incentivise local processing, local content, technology transfer and fair supply contracts for Nigerian businesses.
Value added at home is how mineral wealth becomes the common good in practice.

Is the environment protected?
Bille is one of many that shows what happens when extraction outpace safeguards: contaminated water, damaged land and lost livelihoods.
Nigeria must not repeat this in the minerals sector.
Environmental and social impact assessments, enforceable clean-up duties and independent monitoring must be conditions of every project, not afterthoughts.

Do host communities have real rights?
The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act already provides for Community Development Agreements and community participation in monitoring.
The ECOWAS Mining Directive sets regional standards that protect the rights and agency of host communities, including consultation, fair compensation, and a share in the benefits.
Nigeria should adopt and operationalise the Directive so that these protections are enforceable in every project arising from this framework.

Who benefits?
Who decides?
Who bears the risks?
These questions must be answered before implementation begins.

Critical minerals are valuable. Moreso are the people, communities, and ecosystems where they are found.

#CriticalMinerals #SustainableMining #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunityRights #globalrightsng

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Happy Birthday to our Esteemed Vice Chair, Mr. Olakunle Ajagbe!

Today, we celebrate you and the wisdom, dedication, and commitment to justice that you bring to Global Rights. Your steady guidance and vision strengthen our work and inspire us to keep advancing human rights and dignity for all.

We are truly grateful for your service, your time and expertise, and the standard of excellence you continue to model. May this new year bring you good health, abundant joy, and fulfillment in all you do.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Global Rights

@kunlayajagbe #HappyBirthday #GlobalRightsng

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Happy Birthday to our remarkable Board Member, Ms. Maryam Aliko Mohammed! 🎉

Thank you for lending your leadership, wisdom, and heart to Global Rights. Your vision and commitment strengthen our work for a more just, equal, and accountable Nigeria. We are grateful for your impact.

Wishing you joy, good health, and a year full of blessings.

@mamalix
#HappyBirthday #GlobalRightsNg #GRN

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!

At 66, we celebrate how far we've come and recommit to building a country where every voice is heard, every right is protected, and every citizen is free to thrive.

Freedom is a shared responsibility. Let's keep demanding the Nigeria we deserve. 💚🤍💚

#HappyIndependenceDay #Nigeria66 #October1st #NigeriaAt66 #OneNigeria

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights condemns the reported arrest, prosecution and remand of five men in Maiduguri, Borno State, over their alleged printing and wearing of T-shirts bearing the inscription “Tinubu Must Go.”

The men; Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abbacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio and Abdulhamid Mohammed were reportedly charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and thuggery.

Global Rights is concerned that the expression of a political opinion through clothing is being subjected to criminal prosecution. Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution protects freedom of expression, while Section 40 protects peaceful assembly and association. The mere wearing or printing of a political slogan should not, without evidence of criminal conduct, constitute grounds for arrest or detention.

The use of public-order offences to suppress peaceful political expression risks shrinking civic space and undermining democratic participation, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Global Rights calls on the Borno State Government and Police Command to:

• Ensure the immediate release of the five men and discontinue the charges where no lawful and evidence-based basis exists for prosecution;
• Ensure that the judiciary determines the matter independently and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law; and
• Direct security agencies to refrain from using criminal laws to suppress peaceful political expression and dissent.

Global Rights reaffirms that democratic governance requires citizens to express criticism, disagreement and political preferences peacefully, without fear of arbitrary arrest or detention.

#GlobalRightsng #HumanRights

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Have you registered? Wait no longer. Spots are filling up fast.

A new race is reshaping global power, and Africa's minerals are at the center of it. The question isn't just who's mining, it's who controls the resources, who profits, and who gets left out of the conversation entirely.

Join Dr. Yao Graham this September as he unpacks what host communities and African states need to be asking, and how those conversations can drive real change from the ground up to the global stage. As Coordinator of Third World Network-Africa and one of the minds behind the Africa Mining Vision, he brings decades of insight into the politics shaping the continent's mineral future.

Whether this is your first session or you've been with us since Module 1, we invite you to participate in this month's training:

🗓️ Tuesday, 29th September 2026
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 PM WAT
💻 Virtual
🔗 Register now: https://t.co/0KAYnJlf4A

#CriticalMinerals #ExtractiveGovernance #GreenColonialism #MiningHostCommunities #CommunityRights #GlobalRightsNg #ResourceGovernance

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

A new race is reshaping global power, and Africa's minerals are at the center of it. The question isn't just who's mining, it's who controls the resources, who profits, and who gets left out of the conversation entirely.

Join Dr. Yao Graham this September as he unpacks what host communities and African states need to be asking, and how those conversations can drive real change from the ground up to the global stage. As Coordinator of Third World Network-Africa and one of the minds behind the Africa Mining Vision, he brings decades of insight into the politics shaping the continent's mineral future.

Whether this is your first session or you've been with us since Module 1, we invite you to participate in this month's training:

📅 Tuesday, 29th September 2026
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 PM WAT
💻 Virtual
🔗 Register now: https://t.co/0KAYnJlf4A

#CriticalMinerals #ExtractiveGovernance #GreenColonialism #MiningHostCommunities #CommunityRights #GlobalRightsNg #ResourceGovernance

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Happy International Day of Peace.

Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, dignity, equality and hope.

Today, we recognise the importance of building societies where every person can live free from violence, discrimination, and fear.

#InternationalDayOfPeace #GlobalRightsNg #PeaceDay2026 #Peace #HumanRights #NoToViolence

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights condemns the reported use of live ammunition by security forces during protests in Minna, Niger State, following the deaths of 37 detainees in NSCDC custody.

While security agencies have a responsibility to maintain public order, that responsibility must be exercised lawfully, proportionately and with full respect for the right to life and peaceful assembly.

We remind all security services that their constitutional responsibility is to protect Nigerians, safeguard lives and property, and uphold the rule of law not to escalate situations through excessive or unlawful force.

We call for an immediate investigation into the reported use of live ammunition, full accountability where violations are established, and safeguards to ensure that grieving families and protesters can seek justice without intimidation or retaliation.

#PeacefulProtest #GlobalRightsNg #ProtectCivilians

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Mining fuels the world's clean energy future, but who's really paying the price? For many African communities sitting on critical minerals, the "green transition" is starting to look a lot like an old story with a new name.

This month, we're asking the hard questions about power, profit, and who gets a seat at the table when the world comes for Africa's resources.

Join Our Next Training:
📅 Tuesday, 29th September 2026
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 PM WAT
💻 Virtual
🔗 Register now: https://t.co/0KAYnJlf4A

#CriticalMinerals #GreenColonialism #MiningHostCommunitiesRights #ClimateJustice #GlobalRightsNigeria #ResourceGovernance

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights condemns the continued attempt by the Nigeria Police Force to arrest journalist Zainab Salihu Yabagi over a video explainer produced by JKD Radio and Television on a matter of public interest.

We are equally concerned by the reported detention of the station manager and a security guard during the police operation, despite their subsequent release on Friday.

The use of arrest, intimidation, or detention to respond to journalistic work raises serious concerns about freedom of expression, press freedom, and the shrinking of civic space in Nigeria.

We call on the Police to immediately halt any unlawful or disproportionate attempt to arrest Yabagi and ensure that any investigation is conducted transparently and in accordance with due process and fundamental rights.

Journalists must be free to report and scrutinise public officials without fear of harassment or reprisal. Press freedom is not a privilege, it is a cornerstone of democracy.

#PressFreedom #FreedomOfExpression

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights condemns the reported use of thugs to obstruct and prevent Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the NDC from entering Benue State. Such conduct is unacceptable in a democracy and represents a serious threat to citizens’ fundamental rights to freedom of movement, association, and political participation.

No individual, political party, group, or state authority should determine who can enter or campaign in any part of Nigeria based on political affiliation. No state in Nigeria is a no-go area for any Nigerian citizen.

As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, Global Rights calls on governments at all levels, political parties, candidates, and security agencies to uphold the principles of fairness, equality, tolerance, and peaceful political competition. All candidates must be afforded equal opportunity to engage with voters, campaign, and exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation, harassment, or obstruction.

We are particularly concerned that the growing use or tolerance of political thuggery could further undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and contribute to an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 elections.

We therefore call on the relevant authorities to promptly investigate the reported incident, identify those responsible, and ensure appropriate accountability. Security agencies must remain impartial and provide adequate protection to all political actors and citizens, irrespective of their political affiliation.

Political disagreements must be resolved through dialogue, persuasion, and the ballot box not through threats, violence, or the deployment of thugs.

Nigeria belongs to every Nigerian. Every state is part of the Nigerian federation, and no citizen should be prevented from entering, moving through, or peacefully engaging with communities anywhere in the country because of their political views.

We remain committed to protecting civic space and promoting a free, inclusive, peaceful, and credible democratic process in Nigeria.

#GlobalRightsng #NigerianDemocracy #NoToPoliticalThuggery #EqualPoliticalSpace

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

When extraction outpaces accountability, communities like Bille pay the price.

Recently, the situation has become even more alarming. Last week, a woman in Bille Kingdom sustained severe burn injuries following a sudden explosion inside a residential room. This incident raises serious questions in the context of the gas bubbling through creeks, wells, backyards and even school grounds, sudden fires at seepage points, and reports of dangerous gases in the community.

This is no longer a story that can be ignored. People’s lives and safety are being affected.

Swipe to see what’s happening in Bille Kingdom and why this requires urgent attention.

We will continue to demand answers and accountability until Bille receives the justice, safety and protection its people deserve.

#BilleIsBoiling #JusticeForBilleKingdom #GlobalRightsNg

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights strongly condemns the reported call by the Chairman of Gwandu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, for supporters to beat, harass and intimidate citizens who do not support the APC, including an alleged promise to secure their release if arrested.

Such rhetoric from a public official is deeply disturbing and completely incompatible with democratic governance, the rule of law and citizens' fundamental rights. Political differences must never become a justification for violence, intimidation or coercion.

This incident is particularly alarming against the backdrop of growing concerns over political intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric ahead of Nigeria's 2027 elections. Recent controversies, including alleged threats against non-APC supporters in Kuje and warnings from security authorities about the recruitment of youths for electoral violence, demonstrate the need for urgent action.

Global Rights calls for an immediate, transparent investigation into the reported remarks and appropriate sanctions if wrongdoing is established. Political leaders must be held to a higher standard not allowed to weaponise their positions against citizens.

We also urged political leaders and parties to refrain from rhetoric that threatens opponents or incites violence. It also warned that intimidation can suppress voter participation.

Nigeria's democracy cannot thrive where voters are threatened into political obedience.
Your political choice is a RIGHT, not a CRIME.

#2027Elections
#ProtectCivicSpace
#EndPoliticalViolence
#GlobalRightsNg

[Global Rights NG @Globalrightsng]

Global Rights strongly condemns the reported statement by the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development threatening to cut off the fingers of residents who vote against the APC in the 2027 elections. Such remarks are unacceptable and pose a serious threat to freedom of choice, peaceful participation and electoral integrity.

The statement comes shortly after the reported “vote APC or leave” comments by the Kuje Area Council Chairman, raising further concerns about the growing use of intimidation in Nigeria’s political space.

As we approach the 2027 elections, public officials and political actors must exercise restraint and respect citizens’ constitutional right to freely choose their representatives. Elections must be won through performance, persuasion and the ballot not threats and fear.

Global Rights calls on relevant authorities to take such remarks seriously, ensure accountability where necessary, and protect voters from intimidation before, during and after the elections.

No Nigerian should be threatened for exercising their democratic right freely.

#ProtectCivicSpace #2027Elections #VoterRights #GlobalRightsNg