says education is inalienable right for all citizens

By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A Professor of International Human Right Laws, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Azubike Chinwuba Onuora-Oguno, has described education as an inalienable right for all citizens, without discrimination, urging a paradigm and pragmatic shift in the jurisprudence of the right to education so as to confront the challenges head-on.

Prof. Azubike stated this while delivering the 264th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled: “Disorder in the order of the economic and social rights jurisprudence in Nigeria”.

According to him, there is the urgent need to reposition “the state of education in Nigeria from its present Disorder unto a sustainable path, an Order; once the right based approach is embraced and effectively implemented”.

To this end, the Inaugural Lecturer stressed the need for the strengthening of key institutions across the country to ensure that the right to education is realised, adding that they have identified the place of collaboration and synergy among institutions as a pathway to realising this.

He said: “Consequently, the primary institutions such as the NUT, NTI, TRCN, UBEC and SUBEC must all ensure concerted efforts of the realisation of quality in education in Nigeria. An enhanced capacity will enable the institutions and other non-state actors in the field of education rights advocacy realise the potential they have in changing the narrative.”

To ensure right to education for all, Prof. Azubike urged an increased involvement of the judiciary in the matters of economic and social rights, wondering how many cases have come before the judiciary in the state, either by private lawyers or even the NBA and other stakeholders “challenging the poor delivery of education or other ESR in Kwara State”.

He added: “The involvement of the Judiciary to my mind will increase the deliberation of education law and policy in both Kwara State and Nigeria.”

The Inaugural Lecturer stressed the need to accommodate the right to education in the country’s constitution, adding that members of the National Assembly should take this seriously by swiftly moving to amend the constitution.

He added: “I recommend that policies and laws relating to education must be aligned from a right based perspective to aid the advocacy of the right to education and adjudication of same. In addition, we must all ensure that the relevant are sufficiently adaptive enough to avoid halting of access to education.

“It is important to ensure that adequate and verifiable data is available as especially as it relates to education needs of persons with disabilities. This will ensure adequate budgetary and logistical plans towards quality and inclusive education.”

Prof. Azubike called on the Federal Government to support Non-State Actors in carrying out their various roles in providing education.

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