Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, FICMC.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer
National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria
Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu was born on 31 May 1963 in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, and hails from Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State. He is a distinguished legal practitioner, seasoned public administrator, and globally respected human rights advocate who currently serves as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a position he has held since April 2018. He was elected the President of Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA) in July 2025 and elected Member of the Bureau of the Global Allaince of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in February 2026.
Dr. Ojukwu’s academic and professional background reflects a deep and sustained commitment to law, governance, and human rights. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Nigeria in 1985 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986 after completing his professional training at the Nigerian Law School. He proceeded to earn a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos in 1988. His international exposure includes professional certifications from Public Administration International, London (2003), and the International Human Rights Training Program in Canada (2007). His foundational education was at Government College, Umuahia, where he obtained his School Certificate with Distinction in 1981, and St. Dominic’s Primary School, Ezi East, Mbaise, where he completed his First School Leaving Certificate in 1975 in merit category.
With over three decades of progressive leadership, Dr. Ojukwu’s career spans public service, private legal practice, electoral administration, and international human rights advocacy. Prior to his appointment as Executive Secretary/CEO of the NHRC, he served in several strategic capacities within the Commission, including Director of Monitoring (2014–2018), Director of Protection and Investigation (2013), Director of Legal Services, Protection and Monitoring (2011–2013), and Director in the Office of the Executive Secretary (2010–2011). He also functioned as Acting Director of Monitoring and External Programmes, Zonal Coordinator for the South-South Office in Port Harcourt, Deputy Director (Legal) and Head of the Human Rights Violations Monitoring Unit, among other key roles.
Under his leadership, the NHRC has strengthened its protection mandate, expanded its monitoring mechanisms, and deepened Nigeria’s engagement with regional and global human rights systems. He serves as Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission Journal and several other publication of the Commission.
Beyond the Commission, Dr. Ojukwu contributes significantly at national, regional, and international levels. He has been elected as President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa and serves as a member of the Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), thereby playing a strategic role in shaping global human rights policy and strengthening national institutions worldwide. He is also a Member of the Presidential Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (2025–2029) and serves on the Working Groups on Migration and on Ageing of GANHRI. Additionally, he is an active member of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), being a steering committee member of NANRI.
Earlier in his career, he served in various high-level legal and prosecutorial roles, including Prosecutor for the Federal Ministry of Justice, Counsel to the National Electoral Commission during Nigeria’s transition to civil rule, Administrative Secretary and Chief Accounting Officer of the National Electoral Commission in Imo State, and Principal Partner of Tony Ojukwu & Co., Abuja. He also acted as Project Coordinator for numerous landmark human rights initiatives in partnership with UNDP, UNDEF, UNICEF, UNHCR and DFID, focusing on criminal justice reform, election security, anti-corruption, child rights domestication, prison and police reforms, protection of IDPs etc. He played a key role in the Development of the first National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria 2009-2013.
Dr. Ojukwu’s professional excellence has been widely recognized. He was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in December 2021 by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee. In October 2022, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC) and a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria. He has received multiple traditional chieftaincy titles across Nigeria and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by ISCG University, Republic of Benin, in 2023. In 2024, he was honoured as a National Policy Fellow by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A prolific scholar and editor, Dr. Ojukwu has authored and edited several influential publications on human rights, democratic governance, prison and police reforms, election security, counter-insurgency operations and civilian protection, pre-trial detention, COVID-19 enforcement measures, and Nigeria’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council. His works are widely referenced in policy, academic, and institutional circles.
He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (including its National Executive Committee), the International Bar Association, and serves on the Governing Board of the African Bar Association. He is also affiliated with civic and faith-based organizations, including the Knights of St. Mulumba (Abuja Diocese), where he previously served as a zonal leader in the Gwarimpa sub council of the order.
Dr. Ojukwu is married to Mrs. Obiageli Etta Ojukwu, and they are blessed with four children. He is passionate about philanthropy, supporting charitable initiatives including the Kitchen for the Poor of St. Vincent de Paul, and actively contributes to humanitarian causes. His personal interests include travelling and reading.
Through visionary leadership, intellectual depth, and unwavering dedication to justice, Chief (Dr.) Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu continues to advance the frontiers of human rights protection and institutional accountability in Nigeria and beyond.
