Civic space in Nigeria has experienced sustained pressure over the years, including restrictions on association, financial access constraints impacting civil societies, digital surveillance, online harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention of dissenters, and reprisals against activists and civic actors. Human rights defenders (HRDs), including those operating formally or informally, often bear the brunt of these constraints. A recent report by Spaces for Change reveals 332 incidents of crackdowns on the civic space in Nigeria between 2022 and 2024. These include infringements on HRDs’ freedom of expression, press freedom, assembly and association rights, and digital freedoms. While efforts have been made to protect HRDs’ fundamental rights, restrictions imposed by state and non-state actors continue to challenge their freedoms. The Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill (HB 1867) seeks to address attacks on HRDS through a dedicated statutory framework.
On December 10, 2024, the Bill was presented for first reading in the Nigerian House of Representatives and subsequently passed the second reading on April 1, 2025.3 Among other objectives, the Bill aims to recognise the rights of individuals defending human rights and create legal mechanisms for the protection of their rights as human rights defenders. Introduced by the Chairman of the House of Representatives on Human Rights, Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde, and Hon. Mudashiru Lukman Alani, the Bill further seeks to outline the government’s obligation toward criminalising reprisals and establishing a protection mechanism within the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). This brief examines the Bill’s key strengths, identifies areas of concern, and proposes recommendations to strengthen clarity, enforceability, and constitutional coherence.
