ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the examination of the practice of fundamental human rights in Nigeria. Human beings are different from other beings. Rationality and consciousness are among the basic factors that distinguish human beings from other beings. There are certain rights that are accorded to human beings. These rights are universal and inalienable. The basic questions are: What are the fundamental human rights? How do Nigerians conceive fundamental human rights? What actually is the practice of the fundamental human rights in Nigeria? Are the fundamental human rights abused or regarded in Nigeria? Is there any relationship between the abuse of fundamental human rights and under-development in Nigeria? These and other related issues are the major focus of this article. Employing analytical and phenomenological methods of philosophical enquiry, this article examines the concept and practice of fundamental human rights in Nigeria. The study discovers that the concept of fundamental human rights seems to be misconceived by many Nigerians. The study also discovers that the fundamental human rights are abused and disregarded in Nigeria, and such have significant relationship with under-development in Nigeria. This article maintains and recommends that the fundamental human rights of every human being should be respected in Nigeria irrespective of sex, tribe, socio-economic status, religion etc. Such will enable every Nigerian to feel belonged, and thus contribute his or her own quota to the development of Nigeria.