Nigeria's Engagement with the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review: Potential for Acculturation or Risk of Regression?

Abstract

This article examines the effectiveness of Nigeria's engagement with the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPR). Now into the third cycle of the UPR, questions on the impact of the UPR process on the ground are gaining increasing attention and there is now a growing focus on state implementation of UPR recommendations. This article analyses the extent of Nigeria's engagement with the UPR mechanism with a focus on UPR I and II. It considers the potential for acculturation and the extent to which the government's fight against terrorism has affected its engagement with the UPR mechanism.