Recent escalation of attacks and killing of community members by Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and other violent criminals across the country, especially in Plateau, Benue and Borno states, among others, have combined to triple the number of human rights violations from what was recorded in February and March 2025.

The alarming development was disclosed Friday in Abuja by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during its monthly Dashboard for April which showed that the body received 261,483 complaints in the month under review.

Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the Commission said the number of complaints received in April by the Commission, though very high, represented only the visible portion of a much deeper crisis.

He said- “Our Observatory has documented alarming trends, widespread human rights violations, forced displacements, and unchecked violence, particularly in conflict-affected states of the country. “

Ojukwu said, “ Our Human Rights Situation in April was the grimmest we have seen in almost a year. The killings in Plateau and Benue States as well as the resurgence of the attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP in Borno state have left hundreds of citizens dead and injured.

“Nigeria is a signatory to international human rights instruments and have also enacted constitutional provisions and laws protecting the human person. In particular, section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. This immutable constitutional injunction and governance imperative has come under series of violations over the course of April 2025.

“The crisis in the middle belt of Nigeria is not new. It has persisted for decades. Yet the bloodshed continues, and our national discourse too often treats these atrocities as commonplace. This must not be allowed to continue. We must collectively resist the normalization of the horrors that play out when families are slaughtered in their sleep, when children are laid to rest in shallow graves, when survivors are left without shelter, support, or justice. Nigeria must honour its national and international obligations to protect and fulfil the right to life and the right to the dignity of human person.

“Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Every failure to name these violations, to investigate them, and to hold perpetrators accountable represents a betrayal of our national and moral responsibilities. It is reneging on our national, regional and international obligations to protect human rights,” he said.

While presenting the April situation Dashboard, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna, said North Central has continued to lead other regions with the number of human rights violations, saying that in April NC recorded 93, 091 cases, followed by the North West with 54, 051, South South with 39, 312, South West -30, 420, North East-28, 417 and South East with 16, 192 complaints.

On Gender based violations, domestic violence has continued to top the chat with 6, 135 I’m April, as well as Sexual violence with 2, 220 and Rape with 11 complaints.

Child’s abandoned has remained on a steady increase. Ogbonna noted that has been the real issue in Child’s rights violations, saying that it triggers multiple human rights violations.

He pointed out that the month of April recorded 570 killings across the country with 60% domicile in Benue, Borno and Plateau. Benue recorded 139 killings in April, likewise Borno with 85, Plateau 119 and other 33 states including FCT together recorded 227 killings.

These killings did not included death by accident of any kind, but rather death orchestrated by the action on none actors such as Bandits, Boko Haram, Lakawura, Vigilante among others.

Nigeria’s missed opportunity: Why we need a definition for women-owned businesses now.

In boardrooms, markets, farms, and digital spaces, Nigerian women are driving enterprise, generating jobs, and sustaining livelihoods. Despite their contributions, women entrepreneurs still face significant challenges in accessing finance, securing contracts, or qualifying for government support. One of the major reasons for this is that Nigeria does not have a definition for what qualifies as a Women-Owned Business (WoB).
This policy gap has created a silent barrier that limits access to opportunities and leaves millions of women entrepreneurs on the margins of economic growth.
Across Africa, countries that have defined what constitutes a women-owned business have used it to unlock tailored financing schemes, inclusion in public procurement, and gender responsive policy development. In contrast, Nigeria’s lack of clarity creates confusion. Government agencies, banks, and donors have no standard benchmark to determine who qualifies as a WoB.
As a result, many women fall through the cracks, unable to access the very tools designed to support them. Without a definition, how can we collect gender-specific business data or design programs that close the persistent inequality gaps?
To address this, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), with the support of the Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility, facilitated a landmark dialogue involving government, civil society, women’s business networks, and the private sector.
This process culminated in the adoption of a working definition on May 1, 2025, by ACCI and its MDA partners under a Joint Action Committee. It states: A women-owned business is any sole proprietorship owned by a woman, or a company or partnership with more than 51 percent female ownership.
This definition is not arbitrary. It aligns with international benchmarks while reflecting Nigeria’s unique sensibilities and on-the-ground realities. It was designed to be verifiable, culturally appropriate, and inclusive, particularly avoiding complex certification systems that often exclude micro and small businesses, especially those led by rural or informal women entrepreneurs.
While no definition can perfectly fit every context, the 51 percent threshold offers a workable standard. It acknowledges practical realities such as shared ownership between spouses or equity dilution during fundraising, yet still ensures a credible threshold for women’s control and participation.
What the Joint Action Committee has put forward is a pragmatic middle ground; a definition that maintains integrity and ease of verification, while harmonizing with global norms. The real question now is whether Nigeria will seize this opportunity and move from concept to national commitment.
While others move forward, Nigeria risks being left behind. Women-led enterprises remain significantly underrepresented in public procurement, with less than 5 percent of government contracts awarded to women-owned businesses (Open Contracting Partnership, 2022). Women entrepreneurs also face higher barriers to finance. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (2024), they are 20 percent more likely to be denied loans compared to their male counterparts. The World Bank (2023) estimates that women-owned businesses in Nigeria face an annual financing gap of $1.5 billion.
A 2023 report by McKinsey & Company projects that unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs could add over $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030, with Nigeria standing to benefit the most. But without a formal WoB definition, we are simply not positioned to tap into this economic gold mine.
Why, then, has this not yet been realized? The delay can be attributed to bureaucratic inertia, fragmented coordination, and competing development priorities. Nonetheless, these challenges no longer constitute justifiable barriers. The momentum is building, and the path toward a nationally recognized definition of women-owned businesses has never been clearer.
The ACCI, with backing from the ICR Facility, co-funded by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the British Council, is advocating for the formal adoption of the WoB definition at the national level.
To this end, ACCI and the Joint Action Committee are actively mobilizing. On June 10, 2025, ACCI and the Joint Action Committee will host a Business Breakfast to bring together government agencies, representatives of financial institutions, women’s business groups, and other key players to push this agenda forward.
This is a pivotal moment. Adopting a national definition of women-owned businesses is not just about words on paper. It is about giving millions of women their rightful place in the economy, unlocking inclusive growth, and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Let us not miss this opportunity. Let us define what matters.

The senator representing Anambra North at the national assembly, Dr. Tony Nwoye has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and shocking assassination of Barrister Ifeanyi Iloakasia, popularly known as “Rolex.”

Until his death, Rolex was the President General of the Aguleri community in Anambra State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, May 16, 2025, Senator Nwoye described the murder as a “rude shock” and a devastating loss to Aguleri, Ndi Omambala, and Anambra North at large.

“I received with a very rude shock the assassination of Barrister Ifeanyi Iloakasia (Rolex), the President General of Aguleri Community,” Nwoye said.

He said “Barr Ifeanyi has been well known to me for over 23 years. He was a brother, a very dependable friend, honest, patriotic, smart, and forthright.”

He praised the late Iloakasia’s dedication to public service and his selfless commitment to community development. According to Nwoye, Rolex never allowed personal or partisan interests to affect his responsibilities or relationships.

“Aguleri (Enyimba), Ndi Omambala, and Anambra North have lost one of our brightest geniuses and rare gems. It is really a huge loss to us,” he lamented.

Senator Nwoye also extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Aguleri community, and the entire Omambala clan, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

He further called on security agencies to intensify investigations and bring those responsible for the assassination to justice.

“We urge security agencies to intensify their efforts and increase their dragnet in order to bring his assailants to justice,” he said.