Humanist Group Seeks Stronger Protections for Non-Religious Nigerians After Meeting German Envoy
By News Secular Advocacy TV Desk
ABUJA — The Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN) has urged stronger international engagement and policy reforms to protect the rights of non-religious citizens, following a diplomatic reception hosted by the German government in Abuja.
The April 29 event was convened by Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, in honour of Thomas Rachel, a member of the German Bundestag and the Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), during his official visit to Nigeria.
Representing HAN were Samuel Joy Ebeben, Coordinator of the association’s Abuja Chapter, and Dominic Ingye Dooyum, Benue State Coordinator and Programme Manager at Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW). The two engaged Rachel in what they called a “candid and constructive” dialogue on religious freedom in Nigeria.
HAN briefed the German delegation that while religious freedom is recognized in national and international legal frameworks, there is a “persistent gap between legal provisions and lived realities” for non-religious individuals.
According to the association, both religious and non-religious minorities face systemic and sometimes targeted discrimination. In practice, it said, FoRB in Nigeria “tends to favour religious expression,” with insufficient protection for the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and non-belief guaranteed under international human rights standards.
HAN further raised structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s legal and governance systems, citing “limited political will, weak enforcement mechanisms, and inconsistent judicial processes” as barriers to protecting fundamental rights.
The group flagged the continued existence and uneven application of blasphemy laws across Nigeria’s dual legal systems. Variations between northern and southern jurisdictions, it said, create “unequal levels of risk and insecurity” for minorities and dissenting voices.
Following the meeting, HAN formally appealed to the German government to prioritise the rights of non-religious individuals and minorities in its bilateral relations with Nigeria. It called for diplomatic support to reform or repeal blasphemy laws and for capacity-building initiatives to improve enforcement of constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The association also urged stronger political commitment within Nigeria and sustained partnerships between international actors and local humanist organisations.
Despite the challenges, HAN described the reception as a “meaningful step toward deeper engagement” and expressed hope that diplomatic interactions would lead to “tangible outcomes,” including policy reforms and increased international support.
The event provided a platform for networking on collaborative advocacy to advance a more inclusive interpretation of FoRB — “one that equally safeguards religious and non-religious freedoms,” HAN said.
HAN reaffirmed its commitment to working with national and international stakeholders, saying it hopes ongoing discussions will translate into “measurable progress, safer communities, and more robust protections for all Nigerians, regardless of belief or non-belief.”