Rights and Duties of a Citizen – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

A right is a privilege or entitlement which the law permits an individual as a citizen of a country, while a duty is something a citizen is expected to do for their country.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define rights and duties of a citizen;
2. list five rights of a citizen and explain each;
3. list four duties of a citizen and explain each;
4. state why rights and duties go together;
5. give examples of how a student can show good citizenship.

Who is a citizen?

A citizen is a person who legally belongs to a country and enjoys its rights and duties.

• Citizenship by birth: a person born in Nigeria to Nigerian parents or grandparents is a citizen.
• Citizenship by registration: a person who meets the legal conditions, such as marriage to a Nigerian, may apply to be registered.
• Citizenship by naturalisation: a foreigner who lives in the country for the required period and meets the legal conditions may be granted citizenship.

What are the rights of a citizen?

Rights are privileges or entitlements which the law permits for an individual as a citizen of that country.

• Right to life: no one may take another person’s life unlawfully.
• Right to freedom of movement: a citizen may live in, and travel to, any part of the country.
• Right to a fair hearing: an accused person must be heard in a court and treated as innocent until proved guilty.
• Right to education: every child should have the chance to go to school, for example through free basic education in public schools.
• Right to vote and to be voted for: a citizen of voting age may choose leaders and may also contest elections.

Other rights of a Nigerian citizen

• Right to dignity of the human person: no one may be tortured or treated in a cruel way.
• Right to personal liberty: no one may be arrested or locked up without lawful reason.
• Freedom of expression: a citizen may share opinions and ideas within the law.
• Freedom of religion: a citizen may follow and practise any religion freely.
• Right to own property: a citizen may own land, houses and other property lawfully.

What are the duties of a citizen?

Duties are those things and actions which citizens are expected to do for their country.

• Payment of taxes, rents and rates: money paid to government helps to build roads, schools and hospitals.
• Obedience to the laws of the country: laws keep peace and order, so every citizen must follow them.
• Voting during elections: a citizen of voting age should vote to help choose good leaders.
• Defence of their fatherland: citizens should protect the country, for example by joining the armed forces or reporting danger to the police.

Other duties of a citizen

• Respect for national symbols: show respect to the flag, the national anthem, the pledge and the coat of arms.
• Respect for others: honour the rights and dignity of other people.
• Care for public property: protect schools, roads, water pipes and electricity lines.
• Loyalty: be faithful to the country and speak well of it.
• National service: graduates take part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

What is the difference between rights and duties?

A right is what the country allows a citizen to enjoy. A duty is what a citizen must give back to the country.

Why do rights and duties go together?

Rights and duties go together because every right a citizen enjoys brings a matching duty.

• Right to life: matches the duty to respect the lives of others.
• Right to education: matches the duty to attend school and study well.
• Right to vote: matches the duty to vote honestly and peacefully.
• Right to freedom of movement: matches the duty to obey traffic and immigration laws.

What happens when citizens ignore their duties?

When citizens ignore their duties, the country suffers and the rights of others are harmed.

• Government has less money for roads, schools and hospitals when taxes are not paid.
• Crime and disorder increase when laws are broken.
• Poor leaders may be chosen when people do not vote.
• The country is less safe when citizens do not defend it.

How can a JSS1 student practise good citizenship?

• Obey school rules and the laws of the land.
• Respect teachers, parents, elders and classmates.
• Keep the school and community clean.
• Take care of school desks, books and other public property.
• Stand and sing the national anthem and recite the pledge with respect.

Evaluation

1. What is a right?
2. What is a duty?
3. State three rights of a citizen.
4. State three duties of a citizen.
5. Give one right and the duty that matches it.

Assignment

Write down the five rights of a citizen and the four duties of a citizen listed in this lesson. Explain each one in one sentence.