Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Third Periodic Report of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Summary: This report compiles all mentions of children's rights in the Concluding Observations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Last Examined: 10-24 November 2008

The Report was presented by Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and Head of the Delegation of Nigeria.

The Commission commended Nigeria regarding:

• The steps taken by Nigeria to improve the rights of children by enacting the Child’s Right Act of 2003 which amongst other things: establishes a minimum age for marriage, imposes an obligation on the Government of Nigeria to uphold the right of every child to free, compulsory and basic education, requires parents and guardians to ensure their child or ward attends and completes primary and junior secondary education and the right of every female child who becomes pregnant before completing her education to continue with her education after delivery.(Paragraph 18)

• The provision of the Act prohibiting the imposition of the death penalty against children.(Paragraph 18)
• The due attention paid to the family as the basis of the Nigerian society, by amongst other things providing support to single parents as well as the codification of the Muslim family law.(Paragraph 20)

The Commission raised concerns about:

• The lack of concrete legislation at the national level on gender based violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and discrimination against women despite ratification by Nigeria of both regional and international human rights treaties on the rights of women.(Paragraph 22)
• The high incidence of infant and maternal mortality, especially in the Northern parts of the Country.(Paragraph 24)

The Commission recommended that Nigeria:

• Introduce appropriate policies to address the high incidence of infant and maternal mortality, especially in the Northern part of the Country.(Paragraph 38)