Fundamental Objective and Directive Principle – SS2 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Fundamental Objectives are the goals that Chapter 2 of the Constitution sets for the Nigerian government, such as unity, a fair economy, social justice and education. Directive Principles are the guidelines on how to achieve those goals. They are non-justiciable, so citizens usually cannot take the government to court if it fails to meet them.

Subject: Citizenship and Heritage Studies
Class: SS2
Theme: What the Government “Owes” the People

Behavioural objectives

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

• explain what Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles are;
• state the main political, economic, social and educational objectives in Chapter 2 of the Constitution;
• explain why these objectives are non-justiciable;
• say how Fundamental Objectives differ from Human Rights in the way they can be enforced.

What are Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles?

In our last lesson, we looked at the Constitution as the “Rulebook”. Today, we are looking at Chapter 2 of that rulebook.

Think of Fundamental Objectives as the “Promises” or the “To-Do List” that the government has for Nigeria. These are the goals the government is supposed to achieve to make life better for everyone. Directive Principles are the “Guidelines” on how to achieve those goals.

If Nigeria were a big company, these objectives would be the Vision and Mission of the company.

What are the political objectives?

Politics covers how we live together as one country, as well as voting. The government’s main political goals are:

• Unity and Faith: The government must work to make sure Nigerians see themselves as one, rather than just “I am Igbo”, “I am Hausa” or “I am Yoruba”.
• National Integration: The government should encourage people to marry from different states, work in different parts of the country, and feel at home anywhere in Nigeria.
• No Discrimination: No Nigerian should be treated badly because of where they come from or what language they speak.
• Wiping out Corruption: The Constitution says the state must stop the abuse of power and corruption.

What are the economic objectives?

Economic objectives are about the “pocket” of the nation. They deal with how our money and resources should be handled.

• Common Good: The government must manage the economy so that the wealth is not just in the hands of a few “big men” but benefits everyone.
• Planned Development: The government should plan the economy so that there are jobs for people and the country grows steadily.
• Right to Livelihood: Every Nigerian should have the opportunity to work and earn a decent living in a safe environment.
• Fair Wages: People should get equal pay for equal work. No “man know man” when it comes to salaries.

What are the social objectives?

Social objectives focus on how the government treats the people in the country. They are about fairness and kindness.

• Social Justice: Every person should be equal before the law. Whether you are rich or poor, you deserve a fair trial.
• Health and Safety: The government is supposed to provide hospitals and make sure that the places where people work are safe and do not make them sick.
• Protection of the Weak: Children, young people and the elderly should be protected from being exploited or abandoned.
• Public Assistance: The government should help those who cannot help themselves, such as the disabled or those who have lost their jobs.

What are the educational objectives?

This is the one that affects you directly as a student. The government knows that an uneducated nation cannot grow.

• Fighting Illiteracy: The government should work towards making sure everyone can read and write.
• Science and Technology: The government should promote the study of science and technology so that we can build our own cars, phones and machines.
• Free Education: The Constitution says the government should try to provide:
  1. Free Primary Education.
  2. Free Secondary Education.
  3. Free University Education.
  4. Free Adult Literacy programmes.

Note: The government is meant to provide these “as and when” it is practicable, depending on the resources available.

Why are these objectives “non-justiciable”?

Even though these “Promises” are in the Constitution, you usually cannot sue the government in court if it fails to provide free university education or jobs.

In law, we call this Non-Justiciable. It means the objectives are “Moral Obligations”. We use them to judge whether a government has done a good job, but we cannot take the government to court over them as we can when our Human Rights are violated.

Revision table: the main goal of each category

Evaluation

1. What are Fundamental Objectives, and how do they differ from Directive Principles?
2. State two political objectives and two economic objectives in Chapter 2 of the Constitution.
3. What does “non-justiciable” mean?
4. Why can a citizen take the government to court over a violation of Human Rights but not over a failure to provide free university education?

Class discussion question

If you were the President of Nigeria for one day, which of these four objectives (Political, Economic, Social or Educational) would you fix first? Why?

Assignment

For each of the four categories (Political, Economic, Social and Educational), write down two objectives from the lesson and explain each in one sentence.