The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting vulnerable persons, emphasising improved healthcare delivery and greater institutional accountability in Nigeria’s detention facilities.
Mrs Onyinye Ndubuisi, UNDP Gender and Human Rights Lead, made this call on Thursday in Abuja during a National Technical and Institutional Validation Meeting on guidelines for implementing selected laws for vulnerable persons.
Ndubuisi noted that despite existing legal and policy frameworks, women, children, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and other marginalised groups continue to face systemic barriers to justice, protection, and essential services.
She said the main challenge is not the absence of protective laws, but inadequate institutional coordination, resources, and accountability needed to translate legal provisions into improved lives.
“The fundamental question before us is not simply whether Nigeria has adequate laws to protect vulnerable persons.
“It is whether our institutions are sufficiently equipped, coordinated and accountable to ensure that those laws translate into protection, justice and improved lives,” she said.
Ndubuisi explained that survivors of gender-based violence often require medical attention, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and protection, but face fragmented institutional responses.
She identified gender-responsive justice delivery, human rights protection, coordination between health and justice institutions, institutional accountability, and enhanced protection of vulnerable populations as critical areas needing attention.
The UNDP representative said the organisation is preparing to conduct a study of detention centres in Nigeria to generate evidence to inform interventions and future programmes.
She added that the study will help identify gaps in healthcare delivery and institutional responses, particularly regarding the rights and welfare of vulnerable persons in custody.
Ndubuisi also disclosed that the High-Level Observatory on Gender, Justice, Human Rights, and Health is being extended to 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering 20 jurisdictions.
According to her, the observatory will generate institutional evidence, identify implementation gaps, inform policy, and strengthen oversight and accountability across relevant sectors.
She noted that while the guidelines provide practical direction for implementing existing laws, the observatory will help assess institutional performance and identify areas needing corrective action. “What we do not adequately document, we cannot effectively address; what we do not monitor, we cannot hold institutions accountable for,” she said.
Mrs Ogechi Ogu, Executive Director of the Public Awareness on Rights and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Persons Initiative (PAR-RVP), identified inadequate funding and poor coordination among government institutions as major obstacles to implementing protective laws effectively.
Ogu stated that while several laws provide protections at various levels, fragmented implementation and limited coordination among responsible institutions often undermine their intended objectives.
She identified the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as key legislation unified under the guidelines.
She added that the framework also incorporates relevant provisions of the Police Act and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act to strengthen humane treatment and protection throughout the justice system.
Ogu emphasised that deprivation of liberty does not equate to the loss of other fundamental human rights, particularly the right to healthcare.
“When an offence is committed, and it requires taking away the freedom, the liberty to move around, it does not mean that other human rights have equally been taken away,” he said.
She warned that persons in custody should not be denied medical treatment or exposed to preventable deaths while awaiting trial or serving prison sentences.
The executive director also identified discrimination and stigmatisation as major barriers to justice, urging justice and healthcare providers to uphold the dignity of every individual, regardless of their circumstances.
Ms Habiba Hamza, Chief State Counsel, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, stated that the process is ongoing, with the ministry currently validating the application. She noted that a few more steps are required before implementation and emphasised that the validation exercise is a key part of the process.
According to her, the ultimate goal is to simplify the application of existing laws and enhance their implementation.
Mr Chukwuma Chinaka, Lead Legal Practitioner of the UNDP/Ministry Technical Team that developed the guidelines, described the initiative as a significant reform for protecting the legal and health rights of vulnerable populations.
Chinaka stated that the framework consolidates relevant provisions from various legislation to provide a practical guide for addressing violations affecting children in conflict with the law, women, and persons in detention.
He added that the guidelines will strengthen institutional responses to discrimination and other forms of abuse against vulnerable groups.
Ms Eberechi Onuselugo, a public health expert and member of the technical team, called on governments and international development partners to establish effective healthcare systems in prisons and other detention facilities.
Onuselugo described violence as a public health concern that requires interventions addressing physical injuries as well as the mental, psychological, and social well-being of affected persons.
She emphasised that detainees should have access to adequate healthcare, including timely responses to disease outbreaks and other medical emergencies.
“People don’t need to live there worse than they came. They need to leave there and also be healthy,” she said. She urged authorities to ensure detention facilities provide timely and appropriate medical attention, and emphasised that correctional institutions should improve, not worsen, inmates’ health conditions.
The guidelines are part of ongoing efforts by UNDP, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and other partners to strengthen the implementation of existing laws. They also aim to improve access to justice, healthcare, and human rights protection for vulnerable persons in Nigeria.
