Section 5: Functions of the Commission.(As amended by the National Human Rights Commission(Amendment)Act,2010

The Commission shall-(a) deal with all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on Human and peoples' Rights and other international and regional instruments on human rights to which Nigeria is a party;
(b) monitor and investigate all alleged cases of human rights violation in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendation to the President for the prosecution and such other actions as it may deem expedient in each circumstance;
(c) assist victims of human rights violation and seek appropriate redress and remedies on their behalf;
(d) undertake studies on all matters pertaining to human rights and assist the Federal, State and Local Governments where it considers it appropriate to do so in the formulation of appropriate policies on the guarantee of human rights;
(e) publish and submit, from time to time, to the President, National Assembly, Judiciary, State and Local Governments, reports on the state of human rights promotion and protection in Nigeria;
(f) organise local and international seminars, workshops and conferences on human rights issues for public enlightenment;
(g) liaise and cooperate, in such manner as it considers appropriate, with local and international organisations on human rights with the purpose of advancing the promotion and protection of human rights;
(h) participate in such manner as it considers appropriate in all international activities relating to the promotion and protection of human rights";
(i) maintain a library, collect data and disseminate information and materials on human rights generally; and
(j) receive and investigate complaints concerning violations of human rights and make appropriate determination as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance :
(k) examine any existing legislation, administrative provisions and proposed bills or bye-laws for the purpose of ascertaining whether such enactments or proposed bills or bye-laws are consistent with human rights norms;
(l) prepare and publish, in such manner as the Commission considers appropriate, guidelines for the avoidance of acts or practices with respect to the functions and powers of the Commission under this Act;
(m) promote an understanding of public discussions of human rights issues in Nigeria;
(n) undertake research and educational programmes and such other programmes for promoting and protecting human rights and co-ordinate any such programme on behalf of the Federal, State or Local Governments on its own initiative when so requested by the Federal, State or Local Government and report concerning the enactment of legislation on matters relating to human rights;
(o) on its own initiative or when requested by the Federal, State or Local Government, report on actions that should be taken by the Federal, State or Local Government to comply with the provisions of any relevant international human rights instruments;
(p) refer any matter of human rights violation requiring prosecution to the Attorney-General of the Federation or of a State, as the case may be;
(q) where it considers it appropriate to do so, act as a conciliator between parties to a complaint;
(r) where it considers it appropriate, with the leave of the court hearing the proceedings and subject to any condition imposed by the court, intervene in any proceeding that involves human rights issue"; and
(s) carry out all such other functions as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions under this Act.