The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) joined other civil society organisations and human rights advocates at the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN), held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, in Lagos.
Nurudeen Salako, Programme Officer at WSCIJ, represented the Centre’s Executive Director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka at the meeting, which brought together members from across Nigeria, to strengthen collaboration and collective action towards the promotion and protection of human rights defenders. The AGM provided an opportunity for members to review the Network’s activities, consider its governing documents, discuss emerging threats and protection needs of human rights defenders, as well as establish strategic priorities for its work.
The meeting also brought together several civil society organisations working across human rights, governance, media freedom, disability inclusion, and community development. They included Development Dynamics, Civic Hive, Echoes of Women in Africa, Community Health Initiative for Youth in Nigeria, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Enough is Enough Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre, among others.
A major highlight of the meeting was the election of members of the Network’s Executive Council, which will provide strategic leadership and coordinate its activities. Miriam Menkiti of Women Information Network emerged as Chairperson, while Anthonia Ojenagbon of Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation was elected Vice Chairperson. Segun Babalola of Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) emerged as Treasurer.Other elected members include Bridget Osaskwe of Impact Garden for Community Development, who will serve as Coordinator for Women Human Rights Defenders, and Diri Diepriye of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, who emerged as Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Coordinator.
Established as a network of human rights advocates and civil society organisations, the NHRDN works to promote a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders through collective advocacy, solidarity and mutual support.
