HUMAN RIGHTS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EXPLORING THE INTERPLAY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA'S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

Abstract

The essence of every responsible government is the development of the state as well as the welfare of its citizens. The reality of Nigeria as a nation shows that it is one of the poorest in the world, with over 50% of the population living on less than one dollar per day and only about 25% having access to affordable homes. The 2024 World Human Rights and Rule of Law Index ranks Nigeria as number 120 out of 140 countries, scoring below average and falling behind military-ruled Niger, gang-plagued El Salvador, and war-torn Ukraine. This paper therefore examines the intricate relationship between human rights and sustainable development, with a focus on Nigeria’s development agenda. The research analyses the impact of human rights violations on development outcomes and explores strategies for integrating human rights into development policies and programmes. Drawing on international human rights law and development frameworks, this study aims to inform policy reforms and promote a rights-based approach to sustainable development in Nigeria.