AN ANATOMY OF THE RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA AND SELECTED JURISDICTIONS

Abstract

The right to employment is a socio-economic right recognized in international human rights law and reflected in Nigeria’s constitutional and statutory provisions. However, its enforceability is constrained by the non-justiciable nature of socio-economic rights under Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution. This paper examines the legal and institutional frameworks governing the right to employment in Nigeria, analyses the judicial attitude towards the right, and compares Nigeria’s position with that of selected jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening the enforceability of employment rights in Nigeria by taking cues from other jurisdictions.