NIGERIAN STUDENT RIGHTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

A lecture by Promise Olamilekan Odejide to the ND2 Brainstorming Group, Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, on 9th of September, 2023.

Good evening, everyone. 

I hope you all had a relaxing day.

 It's an honor to be speaking with such a knowledgeable and engaged group of Brainstormers on this important topic: Nigerian students' rights in higher education.

The current situation in Nigeria, with the rapid rise in tuition fees and other issues, makes it clear that students' voices need to be heard. We will be discussing the problems facing Nigerian students, and exploring solutions to make higher education more accessible and affordable for all. I'm excited to get started with your contributions to make it interesting

What are student rights, and why are they important? Student rights are the entitlements and freedoms that students have in relation to their education. They are important because they ensure that students can access quality and equitable education, express their opinions and beliefs, participate in the governance and management of their institutions, and seek justice and redress when they face discrimination or injustice. Student rights are not only essential for the personal development and well-being of students, but also for the social and economic progress of our nation. Student rights are also recognized and protected by various international human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

However, despite the importance and recognition of student rights, the reality of higher education in Nigeria is far from ideal. According to the latest statistics from the National Universities Commission, Nigeria currently has 170 universities, 159 polytechnics and 152 colleges of education. Each academic year, universities and polytechnics admit close to 2 million students and produce about 600,000 graduates. On 10 November 2020, the National Youth Service Corps mobilised 66,000 Nigerian graduates for its mandatory one-year service to the country, Vanguard Media reported. The challenges and opportunities faced by students and educators in higher education are numerous and diverse, such as inadequate funding and infrastructure, poor quality and relevance of curricula, low academic standards and performance, corruption and mismanagement, strikes and disruptions, security and safety issues, and the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.

In this context, what are some of the specific rights that students have in higher education, and how are they exercised or violated? Let me mention a few examples:

- One of the rights that students have is the right to access loans without discrimination. This right is guaranteed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act of 2011, which established a fund to provide loans to students who need financial assistance to pursue their education. However, many students have complained about the difficulty and delay in accessing these loans, as well as the lack of transparency and accountability in their disbursement.

- Another right that students have is the right to participate in decision-making processes that affect their education and welfare. This right is enshrined in the National Policy on Education of 2013, which states that students should be represented in various bodies and committees within their institutions. However, many students have reported that their voices are often ignored or suppressed by the authorities, who view them as troublemakers or enemies.

- A third right that students have is the right to free speech and association. This right is protected by the Constitution of Nigeria of 1999, which guarantees the freedom of expression and assembly for all citizens. However, many students have faced censorship and intimidation by the authorities, who have banned or restricted student unions, publications, protests, and other forms of expression. Yes, I could remember during one of my lectures in HND 1, CBS, the Lecturer said Students unionism was overshadowed due to lackadaisical attitude of students when they said they are doing their peaceful protest, they tend to carry out their peaceful protest into thuggery manner which it tempered with the peace of the society or state.

- A fourth right that students have is the right to due process and fair treatment in cases of academic misconduct or disciplinary action. How many of us heard about the report of the Year 2 Law female Students about Prof Cyril Ndifon, Dean of Faculty of Law of the University of Calabar harassing them, as they were law Students , they took the matter with proper procedure and made their voice heard, Prof Ndifon was later invited to come and tell his part of the story. So, This right is stipulated by the Code of Conduct for Students of Nigerian Universities of 2007, which outlines the procedures and sanctions for dealing with various offences committed by students. However, many students have suffered from arbitrary and harsh punishments by the authorities, who have violated their rights to a fair hearing, an appeal, or a review.

These are just some of the examples of how student rights are violated or threatened in higher education in Nigeria. There are many more cases that could be cited, such as attacks on schools by armed groups, sexual harassment and violence by lecturers or peers, lack of accountability and transparency by institutions, among others. These violations not only affect the individual students who suffer them, but also undermine the quality and integrity of higher education in Nigeria.

So what can we do to improve the situation of student rights in higher education in Nigeria? Here are some recommendations or suggestions that I would like to offer:

- First, we need to strengthen the legal framework and enforcement mechanisms for student rights. This means reviewing and updating existing laws and policies to ensure that they are consistent with international standards and best practices. It also means establishing independent and effective bodies or agencies to monitor and enforce student rights violations.

- Second, Just like we are doing tonight, we need to enhance the awareness and advocacy of students and civil society for student rights. This means educating ourselves and others about our rights and responsibilities as students. It also means organizing ourselves and collaborating with other stakeholders to demand our rights and hold our institutions accountable.

- Third, we need to promote a culture of dialogue and respect among stakeholders in higher education. This means engaging constructively with our lecturers, administrators, government officials, parents, and other partners to address the issues and challenges that we face. It also means respecting the diversity and dignity of our fellow students, and avoiding violence or intolerance.

- Fourth, we need to ensure adequate funding and resources for quality education. This means advocating for increased and sustainable investment in higher education by the government and the private sector. It also means utilizing the available funds and resources efficiently and effectively, and preventing corruption and waste.

Finally, Nigerian student rights in higher education are a vital and urgent issue that deserves our attention and action. By respecting and protecting these rights, we can ensure that higher education in Nigeria is not only accessible and equitable, but also relevant and excellent. By exercising and defending these rights, we can ensure that we are not only learners and beneficiaries, but also leaders and contributors to our nation's development. Thank you for your attention.