Human Rights Club in Nigerian High Schools

                                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:

• Media Publication
• Media Publication