Towards the Realization of the Rights of Nigerian Children under the Child Rights Act Reviewing and Redressing the Critical Challenges

Abstract

The Nigerian Child’s Rights Act1 (hereinafter called the “act”) is a reproduction of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child2 (hereinafter called the “convention”). Nigeria was among the earliest state parties that ratified the convention when it was adopted and opened for signing; ratification or assent by the United Nation General Assembly Resolution 44/25/of 20th November 1989. But when the convention came into force on 22nd September1989, in accordance with article 49 of the United Nations Charter, it was technicality not birding on Nigeria by virtue of section 12 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria which provides that unless a treaty enter into by Nigeria is enacted into by an Act of the The convention, being a treaty, was accordingly enacted into by law by an act of the National Assembly in 2003. Because of that re-enactment, the act shares a common affinity with the convention in several ways. I.e. both laws are applicable childfriendly or child-based enactments that guarantee assorted and somehow similar child’s rights. The article, using doctrinaire approach, takes an insightful look at the application of the act and to some extent, the convention in Nigeria. This is with a view of identifying the critical challenges to the realization of the guaranteed rights of Nigerian children contained in the two principal child-friendly enactments. At the end of the insight, the article provides useful recommendations inform of steps that should be taken to enhance the realization of the provisions of the act and the convention by Nigerian children.