Growth of Human Rights Groups and their Major Contributions to National Development in Nigeria

All over the world, the activities of Human Right Groups have become pivotal in the assessment of political growth, social maturity and even economic development, within nation - states. Yet, not all scholars would agree on what Human Rights are all about. Even fewer would agree on how human right groups arrived at their current pedestal of importance and visibility. This paper attempted a clarification of the term ‘Human Rights’. Such clarification aimed at providing a broad platform to accommodate even the rights enjoyed by animals, flora, faunas and a plethora of natural species which are now being protected by state laws and international conventions. Also, it traced the rise of human rights groups and attempted to locate the forces behind the growing relevance of groups both at the domestic and international levels. The study also dealt with major impacts and achievements of the groups, especially within the known boundaries of nation-states. Consequently, it concluded that the single most significant contribution of Human Rights groups to national development lies in the political changes which brought in more actors and opened the political space to many citizens. Such a change, along with its ripple effects, has been quite beneficial to the Nigerian system and national development.