Chidi Odinkalu serves as a Professor of the Practice of International Human Rights Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. A committed human rights advocate, he previously held the position of Chairman at Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, an organization tasked with safeguarding and promoting human rights in the country. While deeply integrated into the U.S. academic community, Odinkalu remains actively engaged in Nigerian affairs, voicing his concerns over the nation’s struggling democracy and economy.
Known for his composed and refined demeanor, Odinkalu is nonetheless a vocal critic of governance issues in Nigeria, particularly the declining trust in the judiciary. He is a credible source for insights into judicial corruption, questionable judge appointments, and threats to judicial independence. As these issues intensified in 2024, so did Odinkalu’s critiques, shared through detailed media commentaries and sharp social media posts.
Odinkalu firmly believes in the importance of a judiciary that holds the executive accountable and restores public confidence in the legal system. His recent focus on the judiciary’s lack of financial independence has sparked conflict with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, known for his combative approach towards critics. Odinkalu has not shied away from this confrontation, frequently referring to Wike with the hashtag #GreedyGlutton.
Odinkalu represents a dwindling group of public intellectuals standing against governmental overreach amid widespread ethical decline in public service. His vigilant oversight of the judiciary may act as a deterrent to misconduct within the legal system. Through his patriotic efforts, he aims to prevent the capture of Nigeria’s key institutions by those seeking to exploit them.