Policies to Prevent Corruption in Nigeria: Enforcement of the Right to Education

Abstract

This paper investigates how well Nigeria conforms to international best practices on the right to education. The quality of education that is available to Nigerians is affected by inadequate budgetary allocation, which is compounded by mismanagement of scarce resources and generally by corrupt practices. Education at the level of the primary, secondary and tertiary levels suffers on account of corruption, despite government propaganda that the state provides adequate educational opportunities at the three tiers of education. Attempts to prosecute and punish acts of corruption have failed consistently. Nigeria is a signatory to international and regional instruments which have influenced it to enact national anti-corruption legislation. However, the political will of successive governments to fight corruption remains on the decrease, particularly when a government itself is a product of corrupt practices. Such a government appoints politicians to the councils of the universities as a reward for political patronage and with a view to recouping the huge sums expended on elections. Anti-corruption laws are sidelined, regulations are compromised and the anti-corruption crusade fails. This results in education being the responsibility of unqualified teaching staff working with poor quality teaching infrastructure. The enforcement of the right to education is undermined. In order to salvage the education sector, it is submitted that Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade should emphasise preventive measures. A university should be autonomous in respect of its objectives and finances. When funds allocated to education are safe from misappropriation, the right to education may be enforced properly.