APPRAISAL OF THE RIGHT TO DIGNITY IN NIGERIA
Abstract
The right to dignity of the human person is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It is a constitutionally protected and inalienable right, and is intended to safeguard individuals from degrading, inhuman, and humiliating treatment. Despite the constitutional guarantee and Nigeria’s commitment to international human rights standards, violations of the right to dignity remain prevalent, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its enforcement and protection. This research examines the right to dignity in Nigeria, unveiling the factors militating against its effective realization. The objectives of the research are to evaluate the constitutional and statutory provisions protecting the right, identify the challenges hindering its enforcement, and propose measures for enhancing its protection. This article adopts the doctrinal research methodology, relying on the analysis of constitutional provisions, statutes, judicial decisions, and relevant scholarly materials. The findings reveal that although the right to dignity is expressly guaranteed under the Constitution, its enjoyment is significantly undermined by factors such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, environmental degradation, weak institutional mechanisms, and inadequate enforcement of human rights laws. The research further finds that these challenges have contributed to persistent violations of human dignity despite governmental assurances of commitment to the rule of law and human rights protection. The research recommends constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the enforcement of the right to dignity. It further advocates the adoption of policies that address socio-economic challenges, strengthen anti-corruption measures, improve access to justice, and enhance governmental accountability. These measures are necessary to ensure the effective realization and protection of the right to dignity in Nigeria.
