Amnesty International Denies Anti-Government Motive in Nigeria

Global rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) has reiterated that its presence in Nigeria is solely to promote and safeguard human rights, not to oppose or undermine the government.

The clarification was made during a two-day workshop on human rights-centered reporting for journalists across the South West region, held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, Benedicta Ofili, Finance and Office Manager at Amnesty International Nigeria, addressed common misconceptions that the organization is consistently anti-government.

“Our concern is to ensure that the rights of the people are well protected. Our presence in Nigeria is based on human rights protection. We don’t fight the government,” Ofili said.

She urged Nigerian journalists to use their platforms boldly and responsibly, describing the media as “the voice that people listen to.”

Ofili emphasized that AI’s reporting processes are rigorous and fact-driven.

“We don’t rely on hearsay. We verify available information, send staff to carry out impact assessments, and only publish findings when we’re sure of the facts,” she said.

She also challenged the perception that Amnesty International is antagonistic by default, pointing out that its mission is non-political and aimed purely at holding all parties accountable to human rights standards.

During the workshop, participants were encouraged to pursue human rights stories courageously, even in politically charged environments.

“If the populace understands something is wrong, they may feel powerless. But the media can speak. The media can act,” Ofili added.

The training session comes at a time when freedom of expression and press freedom remain hot-button issues in Nigeria, especially in the context of protests, security challenges, and civil unrest.