Facebook X-twitter Youtube Linkedin Flickr

BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS

COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN IN NIGERIA PROJECT (2022)

INTRODUCTION: 

African Law Foundation (AFILAW) with fund support and partnership from the Forest People Programme (FPP) and Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) implemented a community-based research on Human Rights Violations in The Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria. The project was implemented in selected 5 communities in Edo State of Nigeria and is informed by the increasing spate of conflicts, violence and community protests against the operations of major oil palm companies operating in Nigeria particularly in Edo State which has the highest number of major companies in Nigeria. It conducted a mapping of the conflicts and documents evidence of human and community rights violations in the oil palm supply chain by major oil palm companies operating in Edo state, southern Nigeria. The 5 host oil palm communities are; Okomu communities, Odiguetue, Orhua, Ozalla and Uzebba and spread across 4 local government areas in Edo state. The key objective of the project is to conduct community-based research and collect evidence of violations of community rights by major oil palm companies operating in Edo state. With the draft community research report, we intend to provide greater understanding of the prevailing cases of community and human rights violations and nature of conflicts. 

Project Activities:

  • Selection of Project Research Consultant and Community Research Supervisors and Assistants:
  • Pre-Research Community Mapping, Consultation and Meetings.
  • The 2-Day Research Team Training Workshop at Benin, Edo State
  • Community Research Field work Activities.
  • Research Analysis and Report Development.
Research Consultant making a presentation
Research Team Consultation and Meeting at Orhua Community:
Group Picture of the training workshop
AFRILAW ED making a presentation
Workshop Facilitator/Moderator making a presentation
Research Team Consultation and Meeting at Orhua Community:
Research Team Consultation and Meeting at Uzebba Community:

Key Project Results & Achievements:

  • The implementation of the community-based research on Human Rights violations in the palm oil supply chain in Nigeria.
  • Key evidences of violations of community rights by major oil palm companies operating in Edo state, southern Nigeria were collected.
  • Increased knowledge and understanding of the prevailing cases of community rights violations by major oil palm companies operating in Nigeria.
  • Provided a broad based collaboration with the impacted host communities and the integration of the knowledge gained to design intervention and advocacy for policy and social change.
  • Research experts and community members with local knowledge and skills shared experiences and learnt from each other in ways that produce greater in-depth understanding of the realities on ground.
  • Increased capacity building of civil society organizations (CSOs), policy makers as well as businesses and improved their understanding and respect of human rights in institutional and community-company relations.

THE PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN IN NIGERIA PROJECT (2025)

INTRODUCTION: The Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project was implemented by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) in collaboration with Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with partnership and funding support from the True Cost Initiative (TCI) USA. The aim and objective of this project is to engage with palm oil host communities and industry stakeholders and carry out legal advocacy, sensitization and training with the Community-Based Research on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State of Nigeria Report toward advancing the protection of human rights of palm oil host communities and promotion of corporate responsibility to respect human rights in the palm oil supply chain in Nigeria.  

The project is a follow-up to the Community-Based Research on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project implemented by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) in partnership with the Forest People Programme (FPP) UK and Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) through funding support from the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) from July-November 2022. The main objective of the Project 1 was to conduct a community-based research and collect evidence of violations of community rights by major palm oil companies operating in Nigeria especially palm oil companies operating in Edo State of Nigeria. The research was conducted in 5 selected oil palm host communities across 4 Local Government Areas in Edo State of Nigeria, and which resulted in the production of “The Community-Based Research on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State of Nigeria Report.”

The Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project is focused mostly on engaging with the palm oil host communities and industry stakeholders, and carrying out legal advocacy, sensitization and training with the Community-Based Research on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State of Nigeria Report toward advancing the protection of human rights of palm oil host communities and promotion of corporate responsibility to respect human rights in the palm oil supply chain in Nigeria.

The Project activities is being implemented from February to May 2025, a 4 months’ period in Benin, Edo State Capital and across the local government areas of the 5 palm oil host communities.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

  1. DESIGN AND PUBLICATION OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN IN EDO STATE REPORT
  2. 1-DAY PUBLIC PRESENTATION AND LAUNCHING OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN IN EDO STATE REPORT.
  3. 1-DAY PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR CSOs AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS IN EDO STATE
  4. 1-DAY PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR OILPALM COMPANIES AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN EDO STATE
  5. 1-DAY PALM OIL SUPPLY CHAIN HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAs) IN EDO STATE
  6. 1-DAY PALM OIL HOST-COMMUNITIES HUMAN RIGHT FORUM IN EDO STATE
Mrs. Queensley Ojomo of Edo State Oil Programme Office giving her goodwill remark
Mr. Osayomore Lucky Omorogieva giving his goodwill remarks
Mrs. Mary Okoh giving the Chairman’s opening remarks
Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo reviewing the research
Cross-Session of participants
The Public presentation and lunching of the report

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST FORCED LABOUR IN COCOA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA PROGRAMME (2023)

About the Campaign Programme: African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) implemented the Campaign Against Forced Labour in Cocoa Industry in Nigeria Programme in collaboration with key government policymakers such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) in Abuja and the 5 States of Cross-River, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo States for a period of 2 months (October-November). The Goal of the Campaign programme is to raise awareness and sensitize the key stakeholders and general public about the working conditions and evidence of forced labour documented in the cocoa producing states of Cross-River, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo States, disseminate the forced labour research and investigation report, and generate a productive conversation among the public and key stakeholders toward the reduction of forced labour and improved working condition of individuals in the cocoa industry in Nigeria. The Campaign is a follow up programme from the investigation of forced labour in cocoa sector in Nigeria project implemented by AFRILAW in partnership with Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) and with funding support from Freedom Fund. The goal of this project is to gather documentary evidence of the prevalence of forced labour including child labour in Nigeria by working with a team of state research and investigation experts and local community members to conduct a fact-finding mission on various cocoa farms in the 5 states, and collect documentary evidence of forced labour on multiple farms to highlight that the problem is widespread, and to trace these farms to buyers importing into the U.S. market.

PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES:

  1. PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE FORCED LABOUR RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION REPORT AND NATIONAL LAUNCHING OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST FORCED LABOUR IN COCOA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA
  2. STATE STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST FORCED LABOUR IN COCOA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA AT THE 5 MAJOR COCOA PRODUCING STATES.
Welcome of members of the High Table
AFRILAW ED giving his welcome remark/speech
Barr. Tessy representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment giving her Goodwill Remarks.
Prof. Emily representative of the Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies giving her Goodwill Remarks
Barr F.A Avhioboh representative of the Federal Ministry of Education giving her Goodwill remarks
Mr. Adeola Adegoke CFAN National President giving his Goodwill Remark
Barr. Doris Okoroba Benjamin representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice giving her Goodwill Remarks
Barr. Auta Nyada representative of the NBA National President giving his Goodwill Remarks
Barr. Micheal Awo Ejeh representative of the NBA Abuja Branch giving his Goodwill Remarks
Mr. Onabe Paulinus Odey representative of NACTAL giving his Goodwill remarks
Mr. Oluwaboru Ogunniwami representative of NAPTIP giving his Goodwill Remarks
Mr. Micheal Adeniji FCT Coordinator CPN giving his Goodwill remarks.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Barr. Tony Okechukwu Ojukwu SAN, the Chairman of the Event giving his Opening Remark/Speech
BARR. SULAYMAN DAWODU giving the review of the report
Cross-Session of Participants
Formal Presentation of the Report by the Chairman and members of the high table
Lunching of the Campaign by the Chairman and members of the High Table
Group Photograph of participants with the Campaign Placards
Members of the High Table at the Programme
ED AFRILAW giving his welcome remarks
The State Controller Ministry of Labour and Employment giving her Goodwill Remarks
The Representative of the Ministry of Justice giving his Goodwill Remarks
The Representative of the State Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service Cross-River State Command giving his Goodwill remarks.

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES:

  • About 400 stakeholders and policymakers including key federal, states and local government ministries, departments and agencies, CSOs/INGOs/NGOs, Farmers Associations/Groups, Community-Based Groups, Organized Labour and Business Organizations/Associations and Media Organizations participated in the 6 campaign programme events and were well informed, sensitized and are aware of the evidence and situation of forced labour and working condition of workers in cocoa industry in Nigeria and across the 5 project states.
  • About 500 copies of Forced Labour Research and Investigation Report were printed and disseminated among the event participants and key stakeholders.
  • The Forced Labour Research and Investigation Report was launched and publicly presented by campaign programme partners and stakeholders at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Conference Hall, Abuja under the Chairmanship of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
  • The first-ever National Campaign Against Forced Labour in Cocoa Industry in Nigeria was launched in partnership with key policymakers and stakeholders.
  • Increased public information and awareness on the evidence and situation of forced labour and working condition of workers in cocoa industry in Nigeria and across the 5 project states through the various media reportage.
  • Pledge and commitment for action by participants to work together toward reduction in the rate and cases of forced labour in the cocoa industry in Nigeria particularly in the major cocoa producing states of Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.
  • Pledge and commitment for action by cocoa farmers and policymakers for improved working conditions of individuals within the cocoa industry in Nigeria particularly in the major cocoa producing States of Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.
  • Call for urgent legal and policy reform and effective law enforcement by the participants toward the reduction of forced labour and improved working conditions of individuals within the cocoa industry in Nigeria.
  • Call for effective policy action and improved government commitment toward the reduction of forced labour and improved working conditions of individuals within the cocoa industry in Nigeria particularly in the major cocoa producing States of Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.
  • Creation of a National Campaign WhatApp Group and Listserv for all the programme participants from Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States.

THE INVESTIGATION OF FORCED LABOUR IN COCOA SECTOR IN NIGERIA PROJECT (2022-2023)

About the Project: AFRILAW in partnership with Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) with funding support from Freedom Fund implemented the investigation of forced labour in cocoa sector in Nigeria project. The goal of this project is to gather documentary evidence of the prevalence of forced labour including child labour in Nigeria by working with a team of state research and investigation experts and local community members to conduct a fact-finding mission on various cocoa farms in the 5 states, and collect documentary evidence of forced labour on multiple farms to highlight that the problem is widespread, and to trace these farms to buyers importing into the U.S. market. This fact-finding mission will target both legal and illegal plantations located within 5 states. The main objective of the project is to conduct on-the-ground investigations and collect evidence of forced labour in cocoa supply chain in Nigeria that are entering the U.S and providing this information as a petition to U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The forced labour investigation was carried out in over 90 cocoa farms in 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in five States of Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo States of Nigeria. The project started on September 1, 2022 for a twelve (12) month duration.

PROJECTS ACTIVITIES IN 2022:

  • HIRE OF PROJECT OFFICER AND THE STATE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION TEAM:
  • MAPPING OF COCOA PLANTATION LOCATIONS/AREAS AND CONDUCT OF SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE FIVE (5) PROJECT STATES:
  • PROCUREMENT OF FIELDWORK/ INVESTIGATION MATERIALS:
  • PROJECT MEETINGS:
  • ORGANIZING OF 2-DAY PROJECT RESEARCH TEAM TRAINING WORKSHOP:
  • THE 2-DAY PROJECT RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION TEAM TRAINING WORKSHOP:
  • RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION FIELD WORK DURING MAIN CROP HARVEST SEASON FROM NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY 2023:

PROJECT ACTIVITIES FOR 2023:

  • AFRILAW PROJECT TEAM UPDATE MEETING WITH CAL
  • STATE TEAM REPORT REVIEW BY CAL
  • THE PROGRESS REPORT FOR JANUARY 2023
  • ORGANIZING OF 1-DAY PROJECT RESEARCH REPORT DEVELOPMENT MEETING
  • THE 1-DAY PROJECT RESEARCH REPORT DEVELOPMENT MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 2023 AT TOPVIEW HOTEL, ABUJA, NIGERIA
  • RESEARCH AND DOCUMENT OF SUPPLY CHAIN LINKS BETWEEN TARGET AREAS AND COCOA IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES:
  • DEVELOPMENT AND SUBMISSION OF CONTROL BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) SECTION 307 PETITION, DOCUMENTING EVIDENCE OF FORCED LABOUR INDICATORS IN TARGET SITES AND US EXPORT LINKS, WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM CAL:
  • REVIEW OF THE OF CONTROL BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) SECTION 307 PETITION, DOCUMENTING EVIDENCE OF FORCED LABOUR INDICATORS IN TARGET SITES AND US EXPORT LINKS:
  • PUBLICATION OF THE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION REPORT ON FORCED LABOUR AND CHILD LABOUR IN THE COCOA INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA:

Key Results and Achievements:

  • Conducted on-the-ground investigations and collected evidence of forced labour in cocoa supply chain in the five (5) selected States in Nigeria which include; Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Cross-River.
  • Documented the collected evidences of forced labour which information will be used as a petition to U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
  • Gathered and documented evidence that force labour and child labour is increasing in cocoa supply chain in Nigeria with the growing export to the U.S and other western countries.
  • Gathered and documented evidence to show that Nigeria needs to be included as part of the Child Labor Cocoa Coordinating Group (CLCCG) just like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Gathered and documented evidence of the prevalence of forced labour including child labour in Nigeria.
  • Research and documented supply chain links between target areas and cocoa imports in to the United States.
  • Drafted Section 307 petition, documenting evidence of forced labour indicators in target sites and US export links, with technical assistance form CAL.
  • Published the report on the on-the-ground investigations and collected evidence of forced labour in cocoa supply chain in the five (5) selected States in Nigeria which include; Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Cross-River.
  • The public presentation of the Forced Labour Research and Investigation Report.
  • The sensitization of key stakeholders and the general public on the information on the Research and working conditions of individuals in the cocoa industry across the 5 major cocoa producing states of Cross-River, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo States and Abuja through the various media reports and distribution of the Research Investigation Reports.

THE VPs SENSITIZATION AND TRAINING OF GMoU CLUSTER COMMUNITIES IN DELTA AND IMO STATE PROJECT (2023)

SUMMARY REPORT

The VPs Sensitization and Training of GMoU Cluster Communities in Delta and Imo State being implemented by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) in partnership with the Nigeria Working Group on the VPs (NWGPs) and supported by the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPIs). The goal of the training programme is to sensitize and improve the knowledge of selected leaders in GMoU clusters communities in Delta and Imo States on VPs and their capacity to address conflicts and security related issues arising from extractive activities in their communities.The key objectives of the training programme are; to raise awareness of issues related to security and human rights that need to be addressed by the GMoU clusters communities; to engage with selected leaders in the GMoU clusters communities to improve their understanding of human rights and increase awareness of the role they can play in ensuring their community security; and to build the capacity of selected leaders in the GMoU clusters communities in addressing conflicts and security related arising from extractive activities in their communities. The Community Sensitization and Training programme was a 1-Day workshop and implemented in January 2023.

Project Activities Implemented:

  • VPS Sensitization and Training Workshop for GMOU Cluster Communities In Imo State
  • VPS Sensitization and Training Workshop for GMOU Cluster Communities in Delta State

 

THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

  • VPs SENSITIZATION AND TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR GMOU CLUSTER COMMUNITIES IN IMO STATE:
  • VPs SENSITIZATION AND TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR GMOU CLUSTER COMMUNITIES IN DELTA STATE:
Group picture with the participants
Barr Chinwike taking his presentation
Cross-session of participants
Barr Chinwike during the second presentation
Cross-Session with participants

Key Results and Achievements:

  • Increased awareness on issues related to security and human rights was addressed by the GMoU clusters communities;
  • There was high engagement with selected leaders in the GMoU clusters communities to improve their understanding of human rights and increase awareness of the role they can play in ensuring their community security; and
  • Increased capacity building of selected leaders in the GMoU clusters communities in addressing conflicts and security related arising from extractive activities in their communities.

 

Attachment:

THE EXTRACTIVE HOST COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TRAINING WORKSHOP (2025)

INTRODUCTION

The Extractive Host Communities and Environmental Human Rights Defenders Training Workshop organized by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), Abuja-Nigeria in partnership with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Working Group on the VPs (NWGPs) and Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) with funding support from Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) through Environmental Defenders Collective (EDC). The training workshop was held on Wednesday July 30, 2025 at Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Imo State with thirty – seven (37) participants representing extractive host communities and environmental human rights defenders including journalist/media professionals, human rights activists, indigenous community leaders, women and youths selected from extractive host communities, media organizations and civil society organizations/NGOs based in Imo State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.  The aim and objective of the training workshop is to raise awareness, train and sensitize human rights defenders, particularly environmental human rights defenders from extractive host communities, media organizations and civil society organizations in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria on Voluntary Principles and the Guidance Tools on corporate responsibility to respect and protect human rights defenders in extractive industries through adult learning and participatory approach which includes Expert Presentations, Experience Sharing and Reflections, Plenary Session, Question and Answers Sessions.

The Executive Director of AFRILAW (Barr. Chinwike Okereke) giving his welcome remarks/speech
Dr. Joel Bisina giving his opening remarks
Head of Secretariat of the VPI, Ms. Mora Johnson giving a brief recorded welcome speech
Dr. Valentine Madubuko giving opening remarks on behalf of the ES NHRC
Barr. Chinwike Okereke ED AFILAW during his presentation
Cross-section of participants

We produce research in order to raise awareness and drive community engagement and development. 

CONNECT WITH US

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Linkedin Flickr

PAGES

POSTS

CONTACT US

For More Information & Enquiries, Visit Our Head office At:
Head Office: No.25 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako District, Abuja, Nigeria.

Email Us At: afrilawfdn@gmail.com

Call/WhatsApp Us At: +234 810 634 4662

All rights reserved!    www.afrilaw.org