In commemoration of the 2024 World Law Day, Amnesty International, in partnership with the French Embassy in Nigeria has organised a debate on the legal foundation for the rights to education.
The Programme Manager, Amnesty International, Barbara Magaji, who stated this on Monday during the debate in Abuja, said the debate was an opportunity to teach young minds about their rights, particularly the rights to education.
Magaji noted that rights are inherent to human beings adding that rights are attached to us as human beings.
“Rights are not privileges that are granted by others but rather, they are deserved and should be demanded as long as you are a human being.
“The day is important because it’s an opportunity to teach young minds about their rights, particularly the right to education,” Magaji added.
The Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy, Mrs. Ketty Ris, noted that education is a fundamental human right recognized globally.
According to Ris, article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child all affirm every child’s right to education.
Ris estimated that with over 18.5 million children out of school, 60% of them girls, this is a sad record, and not just a statistic, but the unrealized potential of millions of young people whose future depends on realizing their rights to education.
Ris explained that through this debate, they aim to encourage critical thinking and advocacy skills in tomorrow’s young leaders.
The Director of Clinical Legal Education at the University of Abuja, Dr. Nasir Muktar, highlighted the importance of commemorating International Law Day.
He said the right to education is embedded in the constitution and can be enforced through frameworks like the Universal Basic Education Law and the Child Rights Act.
Muktar noted that Nigeria’s education system was inherited from the British. “We have not sat down to ask ourselves what sort of education we need that befits our indigenous system, our culture, and our people.
A 300-level law student and debate winner, Adeyemi Skynoted that Nigeria allocates only 5% of it is budgeted to education.
Sky advocated for making education a justiciable right in Nigeria.
Also, An SS 3 student Alpha Shigusa Ayuba Dankudara, said he has learnt that education is a fundamental right, and it’s essential for our development.
The event aimed to raise awareness about human rights, particularly the right to education, and empower young people to become agents of change.
The debate was part of Amnesty International’s efforts to promote human rights awareness and education in Nigeria.
The event brought together students and educators to discuss the critical issue of education as a fundamental human right.
The winners of the debate, Adeyemi Sky and Alpha Shigusa Ayuba Dankudara, received awards for their outstanding performances.
The event concluded with a call to action to protect and promote the right to education in Nigeria.