Corporate Human Rights Responsibility in the Telecoms Sector in Nigeria: A Case Study of Lagos-Based Operations

This study examines corporate human rights responsibility in Nigeria's telecommunications sector, applying the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to the operations of major mobile network operators in Lagos State. Telecommunications companies in Nigeria wield significant power over citizens' rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information, and their operational practices have drawn increasing scrutiny in light of documented cases of subscriber data breaches, compliance with government surveillance requests, and tower installation impacts on host communities. The research conducts a doctrinal analysis of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, and the UNGPs' three-pillar framework of protect, respect, and remedy. Empirical data are gathered through interviews with telecommunications industry legal officers, consumer rights advocates, digital rights experts, and subscribers who have lodged complaints with the Nigerian Communications Commission. Findings reveal limited corporate adoption of human rights due diligence processes, insufficient transparency regarding government data requests, and inadequate non-judicial grievance mechanisms for affected subscribers. The study argues that the National Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct remain insufficient for ensuring corporate accountability in the sector. Recommendations include mandatory human rights impact assessments for telecommunications operators and legally enforceable corporate accountability standards. Keywords: business and human rights, telecommunications, UNGPs, data protection, Lagos.