By Fatima Zahra Aliyu
A prominent Nigerian legal scholar, Prof. M.T. Ladan, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing human rights in Africa, stating that the continent’s collective survival depends on it.
Prof. Ladan made the call in Abuja on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, while delivering a keynote speech at the ECOWAS Court of Justice on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. Speaking on the theme “Improving Human Rights Performance in West Africa,” Prof. Ladan stressed that human rights are essential for peace, stability, and sustainable development, and that protecting the rights of women, children, minorities, and other vulnerable groups is a strategic investment in Africa’s future.
“The celebration of Human Rights Day serves as a critical reminder for states to uphold the rights of all, especially the most vulnerable,” Prof. Ladan said. “Human rights are about people, they are about you and your life.”
Prof. Ladan praised the ECOWAS Court of Justice for its landmark judgments, including abolishing modern slavery in Niger and upholding the right to education in Nigeria, saying the court’s efforts have been instrumental in setting regional standards. “The Court’s unique provision allowing direct access for individuals has made it a vital forum for redress,” he noted.
However, Prof. Ladan also highlighted the challenges facing human rights in Africa, including corruption, socio-economic gaps, and youth unemployment, warning that corruption facilitates grave human rights abuses and erodes democratic stability. “Corruption does not just steal resources; it facilitates grave human rights abuses and erodes democratic stability,” he warned.
To address these challenges, Prof. Ladan called on African governments to strengthen democratic oversight, integrate human rights education, and enforce accountability mechanisms to end impunity. He also urged governments to increase strategic investment in social sectors and uphold the guiding principles of participation, inclusivity, and equity.