About the Nigerian Humanist Movement

The Nigerian Humanist Movement was founded in 1996 to promote Humanism, defend secularism and provide a sense of community to all non-religious and freethinking Nigerians – atheists, skeptics, rationalists, agnostics and freethinkers. Nigeria is a deeply religious society. And in most cases people relate, interact and marry along religious lines. Religious affiliation becomes a decisive factor when one is seeking employment, doing a business or wants to be admitted into a school or university. Those who do not profess any religion are treated as second class citizens. So in Nigeria most non-religious people are in the closet. They lack any association or community they can call their own. The rights of non-religious people are not recognized. The voice and interests are not represented at public debates and discourse. So NHM was formed to fulfill this important need- to defend the rights and interests of Humanists and the general public and to realize a Humanistic society.

In 1998 NHM started organizing informal meetings at the University of Ibadan. The meeting served as a forum to present Humanism, publicize the Humanist outlook and recruit new members. In 2001 NHM with the support of an American Humanist group, the Council for Secular Humanism organized the first International Humanist conference in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2001 NHM has organized other successful conferences in Ikenne in 2004 and in Benin in 2006.

In 2007 and 2008 NHM’s conferences were held in Port Harcourt and Owerri respectively. These conferences have been used to bring Humanist perspectives to national issues and to nurture and establish local chapters and campus groups.

Since its inception NHM has taken part in several campaigns against anti-personnel landmines, child labor, female genital mutilation, ritual killing, witchcraft, caste discrimination, shari’a law and homophobia. Since 2002 NHM has organized the World Humanist Day lecture. The World Humanist Day is celebrated on June 21. But NHM celebrates it at any time of the year with a lecture. Each year NHM invites a scholar to discuss the ideas of a Humanist. Or it invites a Humanist to discuss and share his or her thoughts and experiences. In 2002 the World Humanist Day Lecture was delivered by Prof Michael Afoloyan who discussed the life and times of Tai Solarin. The lecture was delivered in 2003 by Prof Agwonorobo Eruvbetine, in 2004 by Dr Enyeribe Onuoha, in 2005 by Prof Eskor Toyo, in 2006 by Prof Nkeonye Otakpor, in 2007 by Patrick Naagbanton, in 2008 by Dr Jide Akeredolu. Mr Ikechukwu Okechukwu has been confirmed to deliver the lecture this year.

In recognition of its achievements and efforts in the promotion Humanism, human rights and freethought, NHM has won three awards.- the International Freidenker award (2005), Rainbow Humanist Award (2007) and Community Cooperation Award(2008). In a country plagued by poverty, ignorance, religious fanaticism and superstition, NHM will continue to work and campaign for intellectual awakening, social reform, cultural rebirth and renewal.