THE ABCS OF THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION: CHAPTER & SCHEDULE 2

Chapter Two: Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy

Okay, can’t lie I was a tad confused from just reading the title – it seemed like words that sound great but I had to ask myself, what have we now said? So, let’s start by clarifying what this chapter is about: 

It highlights the specific aims of the nation (fundamental objectives) while also indicating the path the nation must take to achieve these aims (directive principles of State Policy)

In a nutshell, this chapter lays down the foundation for how Nigeria as a nation intends to operate, specifically highlighting the duties of the State, Government and Citizens (see glossary for further explanation of these terms). 

Declarations

‘The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.’ 

Here, clear statements are made defining the role the government and people have in preserving Nigeria and ensuring she remains a State principled on democracy & social justice as the quote suggests. Basically, if this were a company’s website, this section would be all about the company’s values. To summarise what is mentioned:

1. Our People

• Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria 
• Security and welfare of the people should be the primary purpose of government 
• Participation by people in government shall be ensured 

2. Our Government 

• Government should promote national unity and command national loyalty 
• No predominance of people from a few states/ethnic groups in Government
• Government/Local Government Council should recognise diversity of people in their areas and promote a sense of belonging and loyalty amongst them 

3. Our Motto

• Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress 
• National integration actively encouraged
• Prohibition of discrimination pertaining to place of origin, sex, religion, satus, ethnic/linqguistic association 

State Duties 

As a State, Nigeria has plenty duties to uphold oh! So I’ve chosen to summarise them using specific titles and elaborating where necessary: 

• Free Mobility: to provide enough facilities to encourage free mobility of people, goods & services  

• Citizenship: to secure full residence rights 

• Marriage: to encourage inter-marriage between people of different origin, religious and ethnic backgrounds 

• Barrier-free Associations: to promote formation of associations free of ethnic, linguistic, religious barriers 

• Abolish Corruption

• Economy: 
  • harness resources to develop a self-reliant economy
  • control national economy to secure maximum welfare, freedom & happiness of citizens 
  • manage and operate major sectors of economy i.e. activities which are managed and operate exclusively by Government
  • protect right of citizens to engage in economic activities outside major sectors of economy 
  • direct policies where material resources are harnessed and well distributed 
  • direct policies that don’t permit concentration of wealth 
  • direct policies that provide suitable and adequate shelter, food, minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of disabled

• Business: Act of National Assembly to establish a body that 
  • has the power to review the ownership and control of enterprises operating in Nigerian
  • administer any law for the regulation of ownership and control of enterprises 

• Social Order: founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice 
  • every citizen to have equal rights, obligations and opportunities
  • sanctity & dignity of human recognised, maintained and enhanced 
  • governmental actions shall be humane 
  • prevent exploitation of human or natural resources
  • secure and maintain independence, impartiality, integrity and easy access  to courts of law 

• Work/Employability:
  • all citizens shall have opportunity to secure adequate means of livelihood/suitable employment free of discrimination 
  • work conditions to be just and humane with leisure-based, social-based, religious-based, cultural-based facilities 
  • safeguard health, safety and welfare of employees
  • provide equal pay for equal work without discrimination on grounds of sex or any other ground 

• Healthcare: adequate facilities for all citizens 

• Children: protected against exploitation; moral and material neglect

• Public Assistance: provided for deserving cases

• Family: encourage evolution and promotion of family life 

• Environment: protect and improve environment; safeguard water, air, land, forest and wildlife 

• Culture: 
  • protect, preserve and promote Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity
  • encourage technological development and scientific studies which enhance cultural values 

• Communication: 
  • press, radio, television and other mass media free to uphold fundamental objectives of this chapter 
  • press, radio, television and other mass media free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people 

• Ethics: national ethics i.e. moral principles shall be;
  • Discipline
  • Integrity
  • Dignity of Labour
  • Social Justice
  • Religious Tolerance
  • Self-Reliance
  • Patriotism 

Government Duties 

So who is meant to uphold all the duties listed you might ask? Take a wild guess….yes, you got it – our government. In addition here are a few things the Constitution has @-ed our government to do: 

• Education: 
  • direct policy to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels
  • strive to eradicate illiteracy by providing free, compulsory and universal primary education, free secondary and university education, free adult literacy programme

•  Science & Technology: promote both! 

• Foreign Policy: objectives shall;  
  • promote and protect national interest
  • promote and support African integration & unity 
  • promote international cooperation for purposes of universal peace and elimination of discrimination 
  • respect for international law and treaty obligations; seeking settlement through prescribed international methods 
  • promote just world economic order 

Citizen Duties 

So, what’s our own in the matter? Well, we have been encouraged to: 

• Obey & respect Constitution, National Flag, Anthem and Pledge 
• Enhance & defend Nigeria 
• Respect dignity of other citizens
• Make positive & useful contributions to respective communities 
• Assist in maintaining law and order 
• Declare income honestly and pay tax 

I’m hoping this has helped to map out our respective duties and give a greater understanding to what Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution says. Check out Page 2 to find a summary of Schedule Two!