The United Nations has called for greater youth leadership, civic participation and creative storytelling to help reshape public understanding of human rights and strengthen community resilience across Nigeria.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, represented by the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, made the call at an event in Abuja commemorating the 2025 International Human Rights Day.
The event, organised by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), carried the theme: “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials – Who is Telling the Story?”
Attafuah said young Nigerians, digital creators and cultural storytellers play a crucial role in translating human rights principles into relatable narratives.
“These abstract ideas confined to treaties and declarations are the very elements that allow every Nigerian to wake up and live freely,” she said. “Who better to make these essentials real and impossible to ignore than the creatives? You are the ones who tell our stories and preserve our folklores.”
She praised photographers documenting protests, content creators explaining laws on social media, spoken-word artists addressing gender-based violence, and designers turning data into viral infographics.
“You are the translators of human rights — our everyday essentials,” she added, promising stronger UN collaboration with the creative industry to amplify public awareness.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, stressed that broad awareness remains the foundation of human rights protection.
“Many people don’t even know they have rights,” he said. “Years of military rule and poor governance made some Nigerians resign to fate. The first step is creating awareness and ensuring institutions that provide remedy are empowered to do so.”
The Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, described the event as timely, especially given Nigeria’s growing global recognition in film, music and digital arts.
“Creative expression can bring about the realisation of human rights,” he said. “It is a gradual process, but conversations sparked by art can push society closer to justice and accountability.”
The event featured short films, musical performances, and exhibitions by young Nigerian creatives exploring themes such as safety, identity, digital freedom, and justice. It also hosted high-level discussions on how storytelling can humanise rights issues and strengthen civic engagement.
