In a significant move to fortify Nigeria’s human rights infrastructure, the Devatop Centre for Africa Development and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have formalized a strategic partnership. This collaboration, cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to create a more robust, survivor-centred ecosystem for addressing abuse and promoting rights across the nation.
Mr. Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director of Devatop, emphasized that the partnership is designed to dismantle barriers to justice. “For survivors, access to justice often depends on how quickly and safely they can report abuse and receive support,” Osuigwe stated. “This partnership brings us closer to a reality where survivors are not left to navigate these challenges alone.” The initiative marks a critical shift from fragmented efforts to a coordinated national response, focusing on protecting the dignity and rights of survivors of gender-based violence, human trafficking, exploitation, and other abuses.
The collaboration establishes a comprehensive framework for joint action, including:
- Survivor Support & Access to Justice: Creating streamlined, safe pathways for survivors to seek help and legal redress.
- Public Awareness & Advocacy: Amplifying campaigns to educate the public on human rights and available recourse mechanisms.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening the skills of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and community actors to identify and respond to abuses effectively.
- Community Engagement: Building trust at the grassroots level to encourage reporting and community-led protection.
A cornerstone of this partnership is the formal adoption of the TALKAM App as an official reporting and digital case management platform. This technology addresses a critical gap: many survivors, due to stigma, fear, or geographical isolation, cannot access traditional reporting channels. The TALKAM App provides a confidential, accessible digital alternative. It allows individuals to report violations securely and connects them directly to verified support organizations, with stringent protocols to prioritize survivor safety and dignity.
Beyond reporting, the app’s digital case management system is a game-changer for coordination. CSOs and institutions like the NHRC can now receive referrals, document cases with standardized protocols, track progress in real-time, and coordinate multi-agency responses efficiently. This eliminates silos and ensures survivors are not lost in a fragmented system.
“Our participation will enhance accountability, improve coordination, and ensure that reported cases are handled professionally and with the seriousness they deserve,” said Hajia Rabi Anwal, Head of Legal at the NHRC. By functioning as a primary case management organization on the TALKAM platform, the NHRC directly integrates its statutory mandate to protect and enforce human rights into a modern, responsive digital framework.
This partnership represents more than a simple agreement; it is a model for 21st-century human rights defense. It synergizes the grassroots reach and innovative approach of a leading NGO (Devatop) with the legal authority and national mandate of a government commission (NHRC), powered by transformative technology (TALKAM App). The ultimate goal is to build a seamless, accountable, and compassionate system where every report is heard, every survivor is supported, and justice becomes a tangible reality for all Nigerians. This MoU is a pivotal step toward transforming the landscape of human rights protection and survivor support in the country.
