CAN LAW DRIVE THE ECONOMY?: TACKLING NIGERIA’S POVERTY USING A HUMAN RIGHT’S-BASED APPROACH

Abstract

Poverty remains high on the international development agenda. Over the years, world Conferences and Summits have paid attention to the increasing levels of poverty of billions of the world’s population. In spite of the progress made, the work to end extreme poverty is far from over, and many challenges remain. While poverty is seen as a denial of human rights, it is also agreed that the inadequate or non-fulfilment of human rights causes poverty. For many Nigerians, poverty is a major obstacle to the realisation of fundamental rights. Unfortunately, law, without more, is incapable of driving the economy if it does not have human rights content to ensure adequate promotion and protection of human rights and the rights to socio-economic needs. This Paper discusses law and the interrelationship between law and the economy. It adopts a human rights-based approach to poverty reduction in Nigeria and argues that poverty constitutes an infringement of citizen’s human rights. The paper concludes that poverty cannot be eradicated without the fulfilment of basic human rights, including the right to health, education, work, amongst others.