The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, has called for accelerated global action toward the adoption of a legally binding international instrument dedicated to the protection of the rights of older persons.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of the Commission, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed on Monday said, Ojukwu made the call in Geneva, Switzerland, during the February 2026 session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the rights of older persons convened by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the margins of the Human Rights Council session.
Addressing delegates, the NHRC Chief Executive Officer expressed deep concern over persistent discrimination, neglect, abuse, and violence faced by older persons across societies, stressing that the absence of a comprehensive and binding global framework continues to leave many elderly individuals vulnerable.
Ojukwu joined other stakeholders in advocating for greater conceptual clarity on the issue of ageism, alongside the need for broader and more inclusive national consultations.
According to him, collaboration among National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), older persons, and youth groups is essential to achieving meaningful progress toward a convention.
He emphasised the importance of fostering ownership of the proposed instrument, urging stakeholders to avoid abstract debates and instead focus on practical steps that would deliver a globally respected convention capable of protecting both present and future generations.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to human rights, the NHRC boss assured participants of the country’s continued support for international efforts aimed at strengthening protections for older persons.
On procedural matters, he recommended that the IGWG adopt rules of procedure modelled after those of the Open-Ended Working Group, with appropriate modifications to guide delegates effectively.
He further proposed that supportive states or independent experts be tasked with developing a draft text of the proposed instrument ahead of the IGWG’s July 2026 meeting, to serve as a working document for consultations and negotiations.
Ojukwu also underscored the need to mainstream the participation of NHRIs and civil society as the “conscience” of society, while advocating for hybrid meeting formats to ensure broader and more meaningful participation of older persons and key stakeholders.
He urged the international community to remain faithful to the guiding human rights principles of “leave no one behind” and “nothing about us without us,” stressing that these ideals must underpin any future convention on the rights of older persons.