Protecting The Rights Of Children In Nigeria: Legal Framework For The Progressive Implementation Of The International Covenant On Economic, Social And Cultural Rights

Abstract

This article evaluates the legal framework for the progressive realization of
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR)
provisions on socio-economic human rights of children in Nigeria. It reviews
the nature, scope and content of children’s rights espoused by the ICESR and
then examines how these socio-economic rights of children, both nationals
and non-nationals, can be guaranteed and progressively realized within the
relevant provisions of Nigerian law and the limited available resources, given
that Nigeria is a developing country. The article also discusses how legal
barriers posed by the non-justiciability of the socio-economic rights under the
fundamental objectives and directive principles of the Nigerian Constitution
and other challenges to the full realization of the socio-economic rights can
be overcome.