Rights In Nigeria Research Articles

Exploring the impact of gender representation on legal education and rights in Nigeria: An experimental study

Gender representation in legal education is crucial for promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based discrimination. Nigeria, with its patriarchal society, faces significant challenges in achieving gender equality. This study explores the impact of gender representation on legal education and rights in Nigeria. A mixed-methods experimental study approach is used- combining surveys, interviews, and observational data. We recruited 100Law students from two Nigerian universities, one with high gender representation and the other with low gender representation. We administered surveys and conducted interviews to assess legal knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards gender equality. Our results show that law students from the university with high gender representation demonstrated better legal knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards gender equality. We also found a positive correlation between gender representation and the enforcement of gender-based rights in Nigeria. Our study highlights the importance of gender representation in legal education for promoting gender equality and addressing gender-based discrimination. We recommend increasing gender representation in legal education and promoting gender-sensitive curricula to address gender-based rights in Nigeria. We also recommend that Legal education institutions should encourage clinical legal education programs that focus on gender-based rights to provide law students with practical experience in enforcing these rights.

Evaluating Child’s Rights in Nigeria: Implications on Rights’ Attainment and Education Achievement

Many documents including domestic and international agreements on minors’ matters, with reference to general and child-specific, have informed both public and private that children are entitled to specific treatment generally and that in any critical situation, they are to be legally given assistance in the receipt of care and protection. This paper therefore focused on the rights every single child should have and/or possess as applicable in the global world. Six (6) higher institutions offering Early Childhood Care and Education were randomly selected with two hundred and ten (210) lecturers, adult caregivers and social workers in southwestern Nigeria. A descriptive research design of the ex-post facto type was adopted. Using legal documents, a 30-item self-developed questionnaire, tagged Child Rights Convention Scale (CRC Scale), was used to collect data. Using the test and restest method, 0.72 was obtained as the reliability coefficient. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to analyse data. Findings revealed that child’s rights are yet to be properly implemented and attained in Nigeria, based on non-robust reports of independent monitoring committees on the Child’s Rights Act (2003) in Nigeria. Therefore, some recommendations were given on how to remove many obstacles to child’s rights including the right to child education in Nigeria.

The Role of Religion in Promoting Fundamental Human Rights in Nigeria: Christian Perspective

The role of religion in the human rights arena is sometimes perceived as challenging, since some religious actors and some secular human rights actors may not see eye-to-eye in some areas. In this important topic, Religion and human rights: understanding the role of Christianity in the promotion of fundamental human rights in Nigeria. This study gave a historical account of the contributions of Christianity human right formation and struggle. it examines the relationship between Christianity and human rights, with emphasis on whether there is some integral connection between Christian thought and the idea of natural human rights. The paper clarified some important concept like religion, human right and go further to looked at the Origin of Religion (with Special Reference to Christian Religion) and it’s Role in Bringing Peace and Order in Society. The paper explores the argument that Christian thought have a significant link with the idea of natural human rights, and that a deep understanding of the idea of natural rights is inimical to Christianity. The history of modern human rights discourse shows its indebtedness to religious thought. The paper conclude that Human rights advocates should also consider how religious thought helps to support the universalizing impulse that has existed in human rights discourse from the beginning. The research recommends among others that There is need for government to strengthen independence of the judiciary, press freedom, democratic rules/principles, human rights education and public vigilance to curtail human rights abuses and promote good governance in Nigeria

An Examination of the Legal Framework for Parties’ Rights when Mortgaging Land under Nigerian Property Legislation

The conveyancing of rights in Nigeria is complex because of the multiple land tenure systems, which exist under the uniform principles of the Land Use Act 1978. Parties to a conveyancing matter have certain rights and duties to fulfil in creating an enforceable mortgage deed. These include certainty of title, insurance, leasing, custody of title deeds, consolidation of mortgages and possession. These are the preliminary covenants that a mortgage deed must consider. This article looks at the construction of the mortgage deed on land in Nigeria, discusses parties’ rights and obligations, and assesses the legal and judicial attitudes to them in determining parties’ rights and obligations. The doctrinal approach was adopted, using primary and secondary sources. Statutes and case law were analysed as primary sources, and textbooks, journal articles, and conference proceedings were analysed as secondary sources. Parties’ rights and obligations, both at common law and in statutes apply to the mortgaging of land in Nigeria. Also, compliance with these rights and obligations is necessary to enforce mortgages through the various methods recognised in Nigerian law. The seamless enforcement of the mortgage deed is crucial for using land for productive purposes and generating capital. The parties’ solicitors should ensure that clauses are included in the mortgage deed to protect the parties and to avoid costly litigation. The consent clause and the definition of a holder in the Land Use Act 1978 should be amended.

Advancing Gender's Balance Rights Through Constitutional and Legal Reforms: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Uganda

The concept of human rights has gained global recognition over time, and the international community and virtually all countries consider everyone equal and deserving of equal treatment. However, advancing gender balance in rights is a critical challenge in Nigeria, where constitutional and legal frameworks come short of equity. Hence, the study focuses on Nigeria's slow progress in addressing systemic gender imbalances that are further complicated by cultural and institutional barriers to women's full participation in the economic, political, and social arenas. The research will analyze how constitutional and legal reforms can advance gender balance rights in Nigeria by learning from Uganda, a country that is attributed with remarkable achievements in gender inclusivity. This study employed a doctrinal method utilising a comparative approach that analyzed primary legal documents, policies, and secondary sources between the two countries for the best practices and challenges. Findings reveal that Uganda's deliberate constitutional recognition of gender equity, affirmative action policies, and strong institutional frameworks have reduced gender disparity significantly. On the other hand, it is Nigeria's fragmented and under-enforced gender-related laws, and the non-express constitutional provision of gender equal participation contribute to continued inequalities. The study recommends extensive constitutional amendments, the establishment of gender-monitoring institutions, and raising awareness amongst the public in Nigeria to duplicate Uganda's successes in making gender balance a core national development agenda.

Navigating the Fault Lines: The Paradoxes of Majoritarian Democracy and Minority Rights in Nigeria’s Multi-Ethnic Polity

This study critically examines the paradoxes embedded in majoritarian democracy in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic polity, focusing on how majority rule centralizes power and marginalizes minority groups, exacerbating ethno-political divisions. Anchored in Nigeria’s federal structure and electoral processes, the study scrutinizes political exclusion, exploring how majoritarianism entrenches state capture and accelerates fragmentation. Employing consociationalism and deliberative democracy frameworks, this research interrogates key questions: How effectively does Nigeria’s democratic model navigate ethnic landscape? What institutional recalibrations are necessary to ameliorate legitimacy deficits and deepen social cohesion? How is social solidarity mobilized or manipulated in Nigeria’s political framework, and how does it shape governance and minority-majority relations? Through a mixed method approach, this study demonstrates that Nigeria’s democratic configuration inadequately addresses its ethnic heterogeneity, perpetuating a crisis of governance and social polarization. Social solidarity’s dual role is highlighted: while dominant groups exploit it to reinforce exclusionary politics, grassroots movements leverage it to challenge power asymmetries, albeit with limited impact due to repression and institutional barriers. Strengthening inclusive governance, constitutional reforms, and electoral restructuring are critical for mitigating exclusion and fostering resilience. Institutional innovations, including minority protections, are essential to bridge political and ethnic divides. This research contributes to comparative politics and democratic theory by proposing actionable pathways for enhancing democratic resilience in pluralistic states.

Child survival, public policy and the realization of children’s rights in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Poverty, especially that which affects children, results in single and multiple deprivations within Nigeria and has remained an existential problem for child survival and development in the country. While most research has focused on the medical aspect of child survival, this study bridges the gap by examining the nexus between child survival and public policy in the country, with Bayelsa State as a case study. It will also shed light on the place of public policy in addressing the problems and their conformity with SDG goals. Using primary and secondary data sources, the paper argues that poverty, manifesting through multiple child deprivations and lack of adequate support by duty bearers, would continue to result in children’s struggles for survival and development. Findings from the study showed that the causative factors responsible for child poverty and issues related to survival are attributable to the vulnerability of rural communities, high levels of poverty, unemployment, inadequate and ineffective policies, harmful cultural beliefs, and insufficient resources. The paper suggests strategies for addressing these problems.

Press Freedom and National Security: The Place of Human Rights in Nigeria’s Cybercrime Laws

Press Freedom and National Security: The Place of Human Rights in Nigeria’s Cybercrime Laws

Impact of African Union Commission on Human and People’s Rights on Endsars Protest in Nigeria 2020-2021

The research investigated the impact of African union commission on human and people’s rights on endsars protest in Nigeria 2020-2021. The work used descriptive research design and only secondary data were sources and used. The data collected were discussed qualitatively through content analysis. It was discovered that fundamental human rights were violated before and during the EndSARS protest; there is legality of EndSARS protested under Nigerian law; and there is no significant impact of African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights on the EndSARS protest. This work conclude that although the SARS has been disbanded by the Nigeria Police Force as demanded by the EndSARS protesters, the tendency for violent protests against police high-handedness will remain in Nigeria as long as the issues that fuelled the eruption of the mass mobilization persist. It was recommended that violation of fundamental human rights in Nigeria and other African countries should be approached with targeted sanctions by the African Commission for Human and Peoples Right for individuals and governments who are found guilty. Furthermore, institutions of governments locally and internationally such as the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights and National Human Rights Commission must be alive to the performance of their constitutional duties. If the Commissions had done their jobs assiduously by investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in human rights abuses, the EndSARS protests would probably not have been necessary.

Human Rights in Nigeria’s External Relations in the Age of General Muhammadu Buhari and His Successors: Loving the Foreigner as Yourself, written by Philip Aka

Human Rights in Nigeria’s External Relations in the Age of General Muhammadu Buhari and His Successors: Loving the Foreigner as Yourself, written by Philip Aka

A Legal Analysis of the Challenges and Prospects of Acquisition of Oil Rights in Nigeria Under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021

This paper examined the challenges and prospects in the acquisition of oil rights in Nigeria, with particular focus on the legal and regulatory framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. Through analysis of relevant legislation, scholarly literature, and industry practices, the study identifies significant challenges. These challenges include lengthy administrative procedures, infrastructural deficits, lack of due process in licensing, arbitrary revocation of licences, corruption, and security concerns that continue to impede efficient oil rights acquisition. The research revealed that while the Petroleum Industry Act introduces substantial reforms, including the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and a more transparent licensing regime, implementation challenges persist. However, the study also identified promising prospects, including regulatory certainty through the new legislative framework, enhanced transparency obligations, pioneer status incentives for indigenous companies, and improved local content requirements. The paper concluded that while Nigeria's legal framework for oil rights acquisition has evolved significantly, successful implementation requires strong political will, institutional reform, and sustained commitment to transparency and accountability. The findings from the study contributes to the broader discourse on petroleum resource governance and offer insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in the field of energy law and policy.

ALLEGED VIOLATION OF WOMEN CONVICTS RIGHT IN THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND QUESTION OF WOMEN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

Women’s biological make-up requires additional attention when it comes to Correctional Facility Services, the efforts been made by the Nigerian Correctional Facility Services in case of female correctional inmates as far as their right is concerned is questionable. Every study on correctional facility conditions in Nigeria has emphasized that Nigerian correctional facilities were built with only men on the minds of the authorities while women were not expected to go to correctional facilities. Presently, though, women are known to commit crimes for which they go to correctional facilities like men but the situations have not changed the narratives. This paper discusses on alleged violation of women convict right in the Nigerian correctional facilities, a question of women right in Nigeria. Concepts of correctional facilities in developed and developing countries as well women right and violation of women right in correctional facilities were discussed. Finally, recommendations were made such as women as all mothers in the society needs proper care, and her children, Special diets should be provided for them because the babies at birth are usually made to live on the breast milk of their mothers. All forms of discrimination against women should be eliminating from Nigerian correctional facilities.

Two decades of women's sexual and reproductive health and rights in Nigeria: Successes, challenges, and opportunities.

With over 200 million people, 50% of Nigeria's population comprises women of reproductive age (15-49 years), making Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) invaluable in achieving SDGs 3 and 5 on health and well-being and gender equality, respectively. Although Nigeria's reproductive health indices have improved over the past two decades, some critical gaps must be closed. We examined SRHR trends in Nigeria using the Nigerian DHS data sets spanning 2003-2018. Key indicators examined included contraceptive prevalence, skilled assistance during delivery, child marriage, and female genital mutilation prevalence. Reducing maternal mortality rates, closing the quality and availability data gaps, equitably increasing the needed healthcare workforce, and systematically integrating a gender lens into programming remain key priority areas for action. Implementation research through gender transformative approaches is highly relevant in identifying, testing, and scaling effective and culturally appropriate interventions.

Human Rights Violation in Africa: A Critical Assessment of Rule of Law in Nigeria

The discourse about human rights violations has been a recurrence among scholars in Africa. This is because the lives of the African citizens particularly the Nigerians are been decimated and harassed on daily basis through nefarious acts. A bid to find out the magnitude of violation of human rights in Nigeria necessitated this study. Its central focus is to critically assess how rule of law in Nigeria has addressed human rights violations among the citizens. The study further ascertained the nature and level of violation of human rights amongst the citizens of Nigeria. The paper was anchored on both historical and analytical, as facts and figures were gathered from secondary sources using the content analysis method. Judging from the theoretical underpinning of this study, the Social Contract Theory of State stipulates that the rule of law is very important to human existence as it helps to regulate citizens’ actions and make them live harmoniously with each other as without the presence of law, it will be impossible if not difficult for the citizens to get access to basic amenities of life. It was observed that the failure to strictly adhere to the principles of rule of law has resulted in human rights violations which are evident in violation of the right to life, freedom of expression among others. It was therefore concluded that the principle of rule of law if imbibed and practised irrespective of social status, religion or ethnic grouping will engender a peaceful and harmonious nation.

Strengthening Human Rights Protection in Nigeria: Safeguards Under the Police Act 2020

The concept of Human Rights has become a critical factor in the definition of modern civilisation and constitutional democracies in the twenty-first century. The activities of the police remain central to the perception of human rights under municipal and international law according to the policies of the state-party. This article sets out to examine the provisions of the ‘new’ Police Force (Establishment) Act 2020 with a view to identifying the safeguards put in place by the law for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. It identifies factors which have contributed to inefficient policing and ever-increasing cases of human rights violations by the police and recommends sticking with the extant legal reforms for a better Nigeria Police Force. The Act introduces provisions such as mandatory accountability mechanism, abolition of use of force or torture to obtain statements from suspects as well as the requirement for the presence of a legal practitioners during a suspect’s interrogation, among others. The doctrinal research method is adopted in analysing statutory provisions and judicial precedents to assess the alignment of policing procedures with constitutional guarantees in line with global best practices. It is observed that despite the wide discretion afforded the Nigeria Police in the discharge of their duties which should boost the observance of human rights, the police abuse these discretions with the end result of serious violations of citizens’ rights which are guaranteed under the constitution. The article concludes that fostering a human-rights-based approach in the discharge of police duties alongside a stringent enforcement of the Police Act 2020 is imperative to sustaining lasting, far-reaching reforms.

Customary Land Ownership and Women’s Land Rights in Nigeria: Extending the Frontiers of Feminist Environmental Justice

Nigerian women are subject to deprivation in many ramifications despite the Constitutional safeguard protecting their rights against discrimination. Women in some Nigerian societies are still not recognized as having tangible entitlement in communal and family lands. They are mostly decorated with the rights of users even though they constitute the larger population of farmers in rural areas. The article is an investigation into the nature of women’s land rights in Nigeria and the disproportionate distribution of social and economic benefits flowing from the exploitation of the environment. This enquiry is prompted by the fact that oil mining and exploration activities adversely impact the environment, leaving women as the most affected. Notwithstanding, women are not substantially involved in the negotiations leading to reparation, remediation and the payment of compensation or the distribution of other social and economic benefits. The study finds that discriminatory customary inheritance laws impair women’s land rights in Nigeria including participatory environmental rights. Users of native lands deal with heads of communities and family heads who are mostly male thereby promoting unfair treatment and denial of women’s rights to share in the benefits of the environment even though women are more vulnerable to environmental harm, occasioning wider gender economic disparity and greater social and cultural inequality.

The implications of emerging technologies on intellectual property rights in Nigeria: Blockchain and biometrics in perspective

The emergence of blockchain and biometrics has had profound implications for intellectual and privacy rights. These technologies can potentially revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare, supply chain management, finance, and e-government. Even though they have their benefits, there are significant concerns regarding security and privacy issues related to data protection, consent, identity theft, and surveillance. These emerging technologies can potentially disrupt traditional notions of privacy and intellectual property, as they rely on the collection and sharing of vast amounts of personal data, raising questions about ownership, control, and consent. Hence this paper examines how the integration of blockchain technology could play a pivotal role in protecting intellectual property rights by enabling secure and transparent transactions, while also addressing the challenges associated with privacy concerns in biometric data collection and usage. Adopting a doctrinal method of legal research, the study evaluates the potential of blockchain to enhance privacy and safeguard personal data against unauthorised access and breaches, aligning with global standards such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. Additionally, the paper explores the dynamics of biometrics as a means to bolster security and identity verification in various sectors, while also identifying its inherent risks related to privacy rights. The implications of these technologies are analyzed in light of Nigeria's legal framework, ethical considerations, and the need for policy development to regulate technology integration while preserving intellectual and privacy rights. The paper concludes that there is a need to establish robust protections and standards to mitigate the risks associated with the adoption of these technologies in Nigeria.

Multiculturalism Contested: Freedom Of Religion, Human Rights And The Changing Narratives Of Public Education In Nigeria

The article interrogate and problematise the concept of religion, freedom and human rights in Nigeria’s public education sector which is marked by religious diversity. The paper raises the question of whether multiculturalism can serve as the appropriate means to deal with diversity in a culturally divided federal State like Nigeria with public schools. Through survey and secondary data, the paper examines the different ethno-religious issues that have reinvogorated freedom of religion, human rights and public schools in Nigeria. Through this examination, the paper shows how religious freedoms and rights are enmeshed in a crisis of claims and have affected the expression of human rights, especially on religious symbols and modes of dressing. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the fights over the place of religion in public schools are changing the perception of public education in Nigeria, with a lesson for other African countries with similar religious and ethnic diversity.

Cultural Practices and Women’s Rights among Idoma and Ogugu Peoples of North-Central, Nigeria: Implications for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development

Discrimination against women has assumed a central position in discussions globally and, in particular many less developed countries of sub-Saharan Africa. A plethora of discussions on women’s discrimination tends to pay scant attention to the impediments of cultural practices and traditional beliefs. These impediments have had implications for poverty reduction and sustainable development in relevant Nigerian communities. Most women in Nigeria are largely poor and are currently living below the poverty line. Though several studies have investigated the issue of culture and women’s rights in Nigeria, limited investigations have been conducted on the challenges of balancing cultural practices and traditional beliefs with sustainable development in Nigeria. Employing the marxian feminist perspective, the paper adopted the use of secondary data to examine the challenges of some cultural practices and traditional beliefs in Nigeria. In particular, the paper highlights certain cultural practices among the Idoma and Ogugu in Benue and Kogi states respectively, that exemplify the impingement of culture on the feminization of poverty. In addition, the paper examined some traditional beliefs such as inheritance of women by their deceased husband’s relation, widow’s succession rights, refund of bride price after divorce and divorce related stigmatization.

Effect of Climate Change on Human Rights in Nigeria

Effect of Climate Change on Human Rights in Nigeria