Titolo della tesi: THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN NIGERIA: BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DOMESTIC LAW
THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN NIGERIA: BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DOMESTIC LAW
Author: UGWU Charis Maria Ogoo – International Order and Human Rights, University of Sapienza Rome, Italy
E-mail Address: srcharisogoo@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
The focus on children’s rights as distinct from those of the adults has become a significant field of study in international and domestic laws within the last century because children are regarded as future hope and tomorrow leaders. Most international treaties and domestic legislation aim to provide a secure, peaceful, healthy, and favorable environment and policies to help children realize their full potentials and peaceful society. Children are indeed the most significant human asset worthy of investing in the human race’s continuous existence. This research examines the impact and extent to which international laws and domestic laws on children’s rights have been implemented in Nigeria to enhance children’s quality of life. In order to achieve this aim, a legal analysis of available international and domestic laws regarding children’s rights in Nigeria, and how far they have been implemented in Nigeria to help children develop emotionally, intellectually, mentally, physically, spiritually, and otherwise was made.
This thesis adopted the 1989 United Nations’ Convention on the rights of the child (CRC) as the principal international instrument for this study, including the optional protocols to the Convention. In light of existing international laws, this research examines the various legislation and judiciary mechanisms by the Nigerian government to protect children’s human rights.
This research follows the analytic and interpretative methods. The primary sources are the International Conventions, the United Nations, African Union Charters on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Nigerian Child Rights Act. It focuses on the Comparative Analysis of the Protective Mechanisms of Children’s Rights in Africa with the Convention on child’s Rights. Moreover, it expounds on the historical and juridical evolution of children’s rights in Nigeria and incorporating International law CRC into Nigeria law. It emphasizes the need for Family Mediation and Divorce Mediation as Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (ADR) and the Child Justice Administration in Nigerian Child Act. The lessons from this study have shown that children have rights in society as human beings. It is essential to recognize that inherent dignity, equality, and the inalienable rights of all children in the human family are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.