Nigerian court declares free primary junior secondary education an enforceable right

That's a significant development! On June 14, 2022, the Nigerian Federal High Court in Abuja declared free primary and junior secondary education an enforceable right under the country's constitution. This landmark judgment is a major victory for education advocates and a significant step towards ensuring that all Nigerian children have access to quality education.

The court's decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on behalf of 10 Nigerian children. The lawsuit challenged the Nigerian government's failure to provide free and quality education to all children, as guaranteed by the country's constitution.

The court's judgment holds the government responsible for ensuring that all children have access to free primary and junior secondary education, and orders the government to take immediate steps to implement this right. The court also directed the government to provide a plan of action to achieve this goal within 90 days.

This judgment is a significant milestone in the fight for education rights in Nigeria. It recognizes that education is a fundamental human right and a critical component of a child's development. By declaring free primary and junior secondary education an enforceable right, the court has sent a strong message to the government that it has a legal obligation to provide quality education to all children.

The implications of this judgment are far-reaching. It could lead to increased investment in education, improved infrastructure, and better teacher training. It could also help to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which is currently estimated to be over 13 million.

However, the journey to ensuring that all Nigerian children have access to free and quality education is not without its challenges. The government will need to take concrete steps to implement the court's judgment, including increasing funding for education, improving infrastructure, and addressing the shortage of qualified teachers.

Nonetheless, this judgment is a significant step forward in the fight for education rights in Nigeria. It demonstrates the power of advocacy and the importance of holding governments accountable for their obligations to provide quality education to all children.