National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over the growing spread of hate speech in Nigeria.
The commission warned that it posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, national unity and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The commission’s executive secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), gave the warning yesterday in a statement to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. He described inflammatory rhetoric as a dangerous trigger for violence, conflict and social instability.
Ojukwu said hate speech violates fundamental human rights, including the rights to dignity, equality and non-discrimination, stressing that no democratic society can thrive where citizens are targeted based on ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or other identities.
According to him, while freedom of expression remains a constitutionally protected right, it does not extend to statements that incite hatred, hostility, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups.
The NHRC boss noted that Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act 2015 already criminalises the deliberate dissemination of offensive and inflammatory messages online, but warned that legal provisions alone would not be sufficient without responsible conduct from political leaders, religious figures, traditional institutions, media organisations and citizens.
He cautioned that unchecked hate speech has the capacity to deepen existing divisions, weaken public trust and create conditions that often lead to conflict and insecurity.
“When communities are set against one another, businesses shut down, schools close, investors withdraw, and families are displaced. Conflict destroys infrastructure and reverses years of developmental gains,” he said.
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, Ojukwu warned that divisive and inflammatory language could undermine electoral credibility by intimidating voters, discouraging participation and widening ethnic and religious fault lines across the country.
“Hate speech is not harmless talk. It is a trigger for conflict, a brake on national development and a betrayal of our shared humanity. Let us not allow this monster to spread ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he warned.
The Commission urged Nigerians to reject hate speech in all forms, verify information before sharing it and promptly report cases of incitement, discrimination and violence to relevant authorities.
Ojukwu also reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to monitoring, documenting and responding to incidents of hate speech as part of efforts to safeguard human rights, social cohesion and democratic governance in the country.
