The Federal Government has called on the Indian government to guarantee the welfare, dignity and protection of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians held in detention facilities across the country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a meeting with a high-level delegation of the National Human Rights Commissions of Nigeria and India at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the minister expressed concern about the treatment of Nigerians in Indian custodial centres and urged the authorities to ensure their welfare and respect their rights.

She called for the humane treatment of Nigerian citizens in detention, stressing that their circumstances should not deprive them of their dignity and fundamental freedoms.

“I call on the Indian government to ensure the humane and proper treatment of Nigerian citizens serving in custodial centres in the country, and that they receive appropriate attention to their welfare, dignity and fundamental human rights,” she said.

Nigeria, India strengthen human rights cooperation

The minister’s appeal came as Nigeria and India strengthened bilateral cooperation in human rights protection through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between their respective National Human Rights Commissions.

Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as an opportunity to translate the longstanding relationship between both countries into practical institutional cooperation.

She said the partnership would help improve access to justice, strengthen complaint-handling mechanisms and protect vulnerable people by ensuring they have fair access to essential support and services.

The minister also stressed the importance of keeping the protection of vulnerable persons and access to justice at the centre of the growing relationship between both countries.

NHRC outlines areas of collaboration

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chief Anthony Ojukwu, described the agreement as an important framework for institutional cooperation and technical exchanges.

He said the partnership would focus on improving complaint-management systems, strengthening human rights compliance in security sector governance and promoting joint research on international law, human rights implementation and emerging issues.

Mrs Ojukwu also highlighted the need for collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to incorporate international human rights standards into Nigeria’s treaty obligations and diplomatic engagements.

India highlights shared interests

The Chairperson of India’s National Human Rights Commission, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, highlighted the longstanding diplomatic and historical ties between both countries.

He noted that Nigeria and India shared similarities in population size, ethnic and religious diversity, cultural heritage and democratic aspirations.

Mr Ramasubramanian described the agreement as an important step towards practical cooperation, institutional learning and capacity development through the exchange of experiences and best practices.

Meanwhile, Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its international human rights obligations under the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

She also appreciated member states of the United Nations for supporting Nigeria’s election to the Human Rights Council for the 2027–2028 term.