ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP) — Under fire internationally for banning gay marriage and alleged abuses while tackling Islamist insurgents, Nigeria, yesterday received its first visit from the United Nations human rights commissioner.

But Navi Pillay said she had not come to Africa’s most populous nation to pass judgement, instead vowing to encourage the government in Abuja to protect and promote basic freedoms.

“I’m not here to come and criticise. I’m here to encourage them (the government) to do more to protect everyone’s human rights,” she told a meeting of local rights and civil society groups plus Nollywood film actors.

Nevertheless, she agreed there were “very serious underlying problems” in the country that needed to be addressed.

The UN said that Pillay’s visit was the first in the 20-year history of her office, and she would meet President Goodluck Jonathan, senior government ministers as well as leading lawmakers.

The overall aim was not only to get Abuja to promote and protect human rights but also “broaden the profile and understanding of human rights in general throughout the country”, according to a statement from her office.

In January, Nigeria caused outrage among Western powers, including the United States, after Jonathan signed a Bill banning same-sex unions and gay marriage, promising up to 14 years in jail for anyone flouting the legislation.

Pillay herself was one of the most vocal critics, saying: “Rarely have I seen a piece of legislation that in so few paragraphs directly violates so many basic, universal human rights.”