ABUJA — The United States government has expressed concern over Nigeria’s human rights record, justice delivery system, and economic realities, highlighting cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and erosion of the new minimum wage by currency depreciation.
In its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, released by the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, the US pointed to persistent flaws in Nigeria’s judicial process, including lengthy pre-trial detentions, arbitrary bail conditions, and indefinite investigative detentions.
The report also cited Amnesty International’s findings that “dozens of young men detained at SARS Awkuzu, a disbanded police unit in Anambra State, remain unaccounted for since 2020.” It added that some detainees were held longer than the maximum sentences for their alleged crimes due to trial backlogs, shortage of judges, corruption, and poor prison logistics.
On labour rights, the US noted that the new ₦70,000 minimum wage — roughly $47.90 at the prevailing rate of ₦1,500 to the dollar — had already been eroded by the naira’s devaluation. It also flagged non-compliance by several states, limited coverage for workers in small firms, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
The report further raised alarm on child rights, particularly early marriage, stressing that despite federal laws setting the minimum marriage age at 18, several northern states still permitted child marriages under customary or religious practices.
Presidency Pushes Back
Reacting swiftly, the Presidency dismissed suggestions of inaction, stressing that reforms and results were already underway.
In a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, the Federal Government insisted that the judicial system is addressing pre-trial detention concerns through ongoing reforms.
“Our judicial system continues to address lengthy pre-trial periods and other issues. These challenges are abating, even as the government has initiated several judicial reforms. The national summit on justice convened last year by President Bola Tinubu is part of this effort,” Dare said.
On security, he cited recent successes, including the arrest of two Ansaru terrorist leaders, which he said had been commended by the US Mission in Nigeria. “The security clean-up is continuous, and coordination among security agencies has improved significantly,” he added.
Defending the government’s economic policy, Dare insisted the naira was stabilising and that macroeconomic indicators were pointing in a positive direction. “The economy is undergoing recalibration. The naira will strengthen with time,” he said.
The Presidency also maintained that issues raised by Washington — from justice reforms to security and labour rights — were being addressed in line with Nigeria’s national interest.
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