Justice and Human Rights Nigeria Project #63831

Human Rights Club in Nigerian High Schools

by Headfort Foundation for Justice

Project Report | Jul 1, 2026
Raising Changemakers Career Summit Report.

By Oluwakemi Adenekan | Programs Manager

RAISING CHANGEMAKERS CAREER SUMMIT 2026 REPORT

Theme: Becoming A Voice: Careers in Human Rights Advocacy.

Date: 26th of May 2026

Venue: Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos State

1. Introduction
The Headfort Foundation for Justice successfully organized a Career Summit aimed at exposing students to diverse career pathways within human rights advocacy. The objective of the summit was to inspire, inform, and equip young people with the knowledge, networks, and motivation required to pursue impactful careers in promoting justice and human rights.

2. Program Overview
The summit brought together professionals and key stakeholders from critical sectors including law, media, human rights advocacy, and law enforcement. Attendees included representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee, Law Firms, CSOs, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, and the NDLEA, alongside media houses such as TVC and NAN, ensuring strong cross-sector engagement and visibility. A total of 113 students were in attendance, contributing to a vibrant and well-attended dialogue.

Key Sessions Included:

Keynote Address: The keynote address, delivered by Ene Sarah Unobe Esq., focused on the theme “Becoming a Voice.” The session emphasized that while everyone has a voice, becoming a voice for justice requires courage, purpose, and intentional action.

Key highlights from the keynote included:

The importance of human rights advocacy as a tool for justice, peace, and social transformation.
An explanation of fundamental human rights and their protection under Nigerian and international law.
A breakdown of diverse career paths within human rights advocacy, including law, journalism, social work, policy, and community development.
The qualities required to become an effective advocate, such as empathy, courage, knowledge, integrity, and leadership.
Real-life examples of global and Nigerian human rights advocates who have driven social change.

The keynote concluded with a strong call to action, encouraging students to begin their advocacy journey immediately by speaking up, educating themselves, and taking responsibility within their communities.

Panel Session: Featuring representatives from:

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee
National Human Rights Commission
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Women and Girls’ Rights Advocacy
Nigeria Police Force
Media/Journalism

Panelists shared their educational backgrounds, career journeys, and how they became involved in human rights advocacy. A recurring theme across discussions was the importance of passion, early leadership development, and commitment to justice.

Panelists also highlighted how they contribute to human rights in their respective roles and encouraged participants to actively engage through platforms such as school human rights clubs.

Breakout Sessions:
Participants were grouped into three tracks:

Legal
Media & Advocacy
Law Enforcement

These smaller sessions provided students with the opportunity to:

Interact directly with professionals
Ask specific and personal questions about career paths
Gain deeper insights into day-to-day responsibilities within each field
Explore mentorship opportunities

The breakout sessions were highly interactive and created a safe space for meaningful dialogue, helping students better understand how to navigate their career interests.

3. Participation & Feedback
A post-event survey was conducted, capturing responses from approximately 44% of total participants. Feedback indicated:

Increased awareness of career opportunities in human rights
High engagement during panel and breakout sessions
Strong interest in mentorship and continued learning opportunities

Participants particularly valued the opportunity to interact directly with professionals and ask questions about real-world career experiences.

4. Key Outcomes

Enhanced understanding of human rights career pathways
Strengthened interest in advocacy among students
Creation of mentorship opportunities between participants and professionals
Increased visibility for institutions working in human rights

6. Challenges

The implementation of the summit was constrained by limited resources, which affected participant coverage. As a result, we were unable to accommodate all members of the Human Rights Clubs from each participating school, and attendance had to be restricted to selected representatives. This limitation slightly reduced the broader reach of the program within schools, despite strong interest and demand from students.

7. Conclusion
The Career Summit achieved its core objective of exposing students to meaningful career opportunities in human rights advocacy. With continued support, we aim to expand the reach and impact of future editions, ensuring more young people are equipped to champion justice and human rights in their communities.

Links:

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Mar 3, 2026
PROGSESS REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS CLUB

By Oluwakemi Adenekan | Programs and Partnership Manager

Pictures from the Students' Activity

Human Rights Club Commemorates the International Day of Education

Project: Human Rights Club Initiative
Location: Lagos, Nigeria

On the 24th of January 2026, members of the Human Rights Club commemorated the International Day of Education through a student-led awareness campaign highlighting education as a fundamental human right. The activity aligned with the global theme, “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education,” and provided students with a platform to lead advocacy efforts within their school community.

During a school-wide assembly attended by over 500 students, club members delivered presentations on the importance of access to education without discrimination. One student representative addressed her peers publicly, speaking about how education builds knowledge, skills, confidence, and helps break cycles of poverty. The session emphasized that every child has the right to learn and develop their full potential.

Students also created and displayed advocacy placards with key messages such as:

“Right to Education”
“Education is a Fundamental Human Right”
“We Fight for Human Rights”
“The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education”

Through peer-to-peer engagement, the club sensitized fellow students on why education must be protected as part of broader human rights protections. The event strengthened students’ public speaking skills, leadership capacity, and confidence in advocating for their rights.

This commemoration reflects the core goal of the Human Rights Club project: empowering young people to understand, promote, and defend human rights within their communities. Rather than being passive recipients of information, students took ownership of the message and actively championed the right to education.

As we move forward, the Human Rights Club will continue organizing rights-awareness activities, expanding civic education discussions, and preparing for upcoming advocacy events, including Children’s Day programming.

We remain grateful to our GlobalGiving supporters whose contributions make youth-led advocacy initiatives like this possible. Your support is helping raise a new generation of informed and courageous human rights advocates.

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Nov 10, 2025
Empowering Young Voices Through Human Rights Education

By Oluwakemi Adenekan | Programs Manager

After A Human Rights Club Session

Project Report: Human Rights Club in Five Nigerian High School- November 2025

Our Human Rights Club members have continued to take bold steps in promoting awareness and advocacy within their schools and communities. Through interactive learning, dialogue sessions, and creative activities, the children are not just learning about their rights—they are becoming active voices for change.

In October, one of the key highlights was the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child. The club members organized a sensitization session within their schools where they educated their peers on girls’ rights, equality, and the importance of creating safe spaces for all children. They used poems, drama, and short talks to emphasize the message that every girl deserves equal opportunities and protection.

Beyond this event, the clubs have also been engaging in monthly discussion circles where members talk about real-life human rights issues affecting children in their communities. These sessions help build their confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills.

Through these activities, we have seen remarkable growth in the children’s ability to express themselves and educate others. Teachers and school administrators have also commended the clubs for the positive behavioral and attitudinal changes among students.

As we look ahead, we plan to strengthen these clubs by providing more training sessions, interactive materials, and mentorship opportunities. Together, we are raising a generation that understands, respects, and stands up for human rights.

Thank you for supporting this journey of empowerment and transformation. Your continued contribution makes it possible for these children to learn, lead, and inspire others.

Commemoration of International Girl Child Day.

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