UN Global Compact Network Nigeria convenes business, human rights dialogue

Respect for human rights is rapidly evolving from a corporate social responsibility issue into a strategic business imperative that shapes investor confidence, market access and long-term competitiveness, business leaders and policymakers said at a high-level dialogue convened by the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGCNN).

The private-sector dialogue brought together more than 60 senior executives, regulators, policymakers, sustainability professionals and development partners to examine how Nigerian businesses can strengthen accountability, deepen stakeholder trust and create long-term value by embedding human rights into corporate governance and operational decision-making.

Opening the event, Naomi Nwokolo, chief executive officer and executive director of UNGCNN, said global expectations of business have fundamentally shifted, with investors, regulators, customers and supply-chain partners increasingly demanding demonstrable evidence of responsible business conduct rather than public commitments.

“Business and human rights can no longer be treated as a side conversation,” Nwokolo said.

“Accountability is built when commitments are translated into clear processes, responsible decisions and visible action. The real value of this programme will be measured by what happens after today – the policies strengthened, the risks identified, the conversations initiated internally and the decisions organisations begin to make differently.”

Her remarks underscored a growing global trend in which environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is becoming increasingly intertwined with access to finance, international partnerships and corporate reputation.

Delivering a special address, Uto Ukpanah, board chair of UNGCNN and company secretary of MTN Nigeria, said businesses must move beyond declarations to measurable implementation as global markets increasingly scrutinise corporate governance and human rights performance.

“Human rights due diligence is no longer simply a question of values,” Ukpanah said.

“It is becoming a question of business credibility, market access, investor confidence and long-term resilience.”

She described trust as one of the most valuable assets companies possess, arguing that organisations able to demonstrate credible governance and accountability will be better positioned to attract investment, secure partnerships and remain competitive.

Representing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Pwadumdi Okoh, deputy director of Legal Services and Business and Human Rights Focal Point Lead, outlined how Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights can strengthen both corporate resilience and national competitiveness.

According to Okoh, embedding the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into business operations is no longer an ethical aspiration but a strategic necessity.

“Business and human rights is not a philanthropic extra,” she said. “It is a strategic imperative. When companies anchor their operations in respect for human dignity, they build durable trust with workers, communities, customers and investors.”

She urged greater collaboration between government and the private sector to transform the national action plan into a competitive advantage capable of positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in responsible business. The Lagos State Government echoed that position.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Yemisi Adeniyi, director of partnerships at the ministry, said sustainable economic growth will increasingly depend on organisations capable of aligning profitability with social responsibility.

“The future belongs to institutions that understand profitability and purpose are complementary, not competing, objectives,” Adeniyi said. “I encourage businesses to view human rights not as a compliance obligation but as an opportunity to create value and earn lasting trust.”

A major highlight of the dialogue was the presentation of outcomes from the Business and Human Rights Accelerator Programme, where participating companies showcased practical steps taken to strengthen governance, workplace safety, stakeholder engagement and human rights risk management.

Representatives of Sahara Group, Lauretta Eguabor and Ebelechukwu Ifeka, outlined the company’s efforts to strengthen accountability systems and deepen stakeholder engagement across its operations.

Reliance Chemical Products Limited, represented by John Eneche and Blessing Ashaolu, highlighted measurable improvements in workplace safety, environmental stewardship, operational grievance mechanisms and human rights risk management achieved through a structured governance framework.

Health Systems Consults, represented by Amarachi Okiee, also shared its experience implementing responsible business practices.

In recognition of their progress, Sahara Group and Reliance Chemical Products Limited received awards for outstanding participation and commitment to advancing business and human rights principles through the Accelerator Programme.

The dialogue concluded with a panel discussion bringing together leaders from finance, manufacturing, development and sustainability to examine how human rights due diligence can strengthen business performance while improving resilience in increasingly complex operating environments.

Moderated by Gloria Okorie, head of programmes at UNGCNN, the panel featured Adwoa Kufuor, senior human rights adviser to the Office of the United Nations Resident and humanitarian coordinator; Chigozie Ejimogu of Verod Capital Management; Adeyemi Adun of Dangote Industries Limited; and Chinedu Igwe of NNPC Limited.

Panellists agreed that responsible business conduct is becoming an increasingly important source of competitive advantage as investors and global value chains place greater emphasis on transparency, governance and accountability.

Closing the dialogue, Okorie challenged organisations to translate policy commitments into measurable business practice. “Human rights is ultimately a business conversation,” she said. “It is about far more than compliance or risk management. Organisations must ask themselves whether their policies exist only on paper or whether they are genuinely shaping decisions, culture and operations.”

The dialogue reinforced a clear message: companies that embed human rights into strategy and governance are not only contributing to stronger communities and more inclusive economies, but are also strengthening their ability to attract capital, earn stakeholder trust and compete in an increasingly demanding global marketplace.

UN Global Compact Network Nigeria is the Nigerian chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. The organisation supports businesses in aligning their operations with globally recognised principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption, while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through advocacy, capacity building and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGCNN) convened business leaders, sustainability professionals, policymakers, and human rights advocates at the Private Sector Dialogue on Business and Human Rights themed “Business and Human Rights as a Business Advantage: Building the Accountability Practices That Earn Lasting Trust,” held on 19 June 2026.