By Saminu Ibrahim
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, has received the 2026 UTA International Humanitarian Award for his leadership and sustained commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.
The award was presented by the United Towns Agency for North-South Cooperation (UTA), Nigeria Chapter, at a ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Humanitarian Day.
The Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, NHRC, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
UTA, a United Nations-affiliated non-governmental organisation with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), recognised Ojukwu for his contributions to advancing human dignity, access to justice and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised persons.
The organisation highlighted several interventions under his leadership, including economic empowerment for victims of human rights violations, compensation and restorative support for victims, transitional and restorative justice initiatives in the North-East, as well as efforts to improve access to justice for poor and marginalised Nigerians.
The interventions reflect the NHRC's victim-centred approach, which extends beyond documenting violations to pursuing accountability, remedies, restoration and opportunities for affected persons to rebuild their lives.
Under Ojukwu's leadership, the Commission has also strengthened its response to human rights violations arising from conflict, poverty, displacement and other forms of vulnerability, with emphasis on protecting the dignity, rights and long-term wellbeing of affected persons.
The award ceremony attracted government officials, diplomats, humanitarian actors and other stakeholders committed to promoting human dignity and addressing humanitarian challenges.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, was represented at the event by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Abubakar Umar.
Also in attendance were the Zamfara State Governor's representative and Chief of Staff, Mouktar Mohammed Lugga; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro; members of the diplomatic corps; UTA International Global Secretary-General, Dr. (Amb.) Eya Essif; and Country President of UTA-Nigeria, Amb. Princess Abigail Amalaha.
Reacting to the recognition, Ojukwu described the award as a reminder of the importance of humanitarian service in improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“As a humanitarian myself, this award has stimulated me to do more,” he said.
He added that the honour reinforced the need to place victims, dignity and justice at the centre of human rights protection, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with complex humanitarian and human rights challenges.