Justice and Fairness – SS3 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Justice is the treatment of people according to what they deserve, and it depends on fairness, equity, social justice and the rule of law.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define justice, fairness, equality and equity.
2. Explain social justice and give examples of injustice in Nigeria.
3. State what the rule of law means and why it matters for justice.
4. Explain how the rule of law helps to make social justice real.
5. List challenges to justice in Nigeria.
6. Describe ways in which they can promote justice and fairness.

What is justice?

Justice is the treatment of people according to what they deserve.

• Reward for effort: a student who works hard and is rewarded is treated justly.
• Consequences for wrongdoing: a person who breaks the law and faces the penalty is treated justly.
• Injustice in school: two students score the same mark, but one is given a better grade. That is unjust.
• Looking deeper: something that seems fair on the surface may be unfair when examined closely.

What are fairness, equality and equity?

Equality, fairness and equity are three related ideas that people often confuse.

What is equality?

Equality means everyone gets the same thing.

• Example: a school gives every student the same amount of money.

What is fairness?

Fairness is treating people justly so that each person gets what they need.

• Example: a student from a poor family may need more support than a rich student who has tutors at home.
• Result: giving both the same money is equal, but it is not fair.

What is equity?

Equity is giving each person what they need to succeed, and it is the tool used to achieve fairness.

• Classroom example: a blind student needs Braille materials. Giving the blind and the sighted student the same materials is not equitable.
• Starting points: people start from different places and need different help to reach the same destination.

What is the difference between equality and equity?

What is a simple example of fairness?

• The situation: a short person and a tall person watch a football match from the same spot.
• The problem: the tall person sees better, so what they see is unequal.
• The fix: give the short person a box to stand on.
• The result: they are unequal in height but equal in what they can see. That is fairness.

How does equity apply to education in Nigeria?

• The gap: some students have good schools with computers and laboratories, while others do not.
• Equal but unfair: giving everyone the same curriculum and resources leaves the gap in place.
• Fair: giving extra resources to students in less developed areas so they can compete on equal terms.
• Better funding: rural schools get more funding because they start from behind.
• Scholarships: students from disadvantaged backgrounds get scholarship support.
• Teachers and resources: schools in poor areas get more teachers and learning materials.
• Special support: students with disabilities get the help they need.

What is social justice?

Social justice is fairness in society, where everyone has access to the same opportunities whatever their background.

What is present where there is social justice?

• Education: poor and rich people have equal access to good education.
• Jobs: men and women have equal opportunities.
• Police and courts: people from all ethnic groups are treated fairly.
• Healthcare: children in rural areas get the same quality of care as children in cities.
• Success: everyone has a fair chance based on hard work and talent, not on who their parents are.
• Correction of disadvantage: groups disadvantaged by history or by current systems receive help to put this right.

What are some examples of injustice in Nigeria?

There are four common kinds of injustice in Nigeria: gender, ethnic, regional, and poverty and class injustice.

Gender injustice

• Education: in some places girls do not get the same education as boys and are expected to marry young.
• Pay: women are sometimes paid less than men for the same job.
• Why it is unjust: a girl’s future should not be limited by her gender.

Ethnic injustice

• Jobs: a job goes to someone from the “right” ethnic group instead of the most qualified person.
• Voting: some people vote by ethnic loyalty instead of choosing the most qualified candidate. This is unjust to the nation.

Regional injustice

• Resources: some regions receive more money for development while others are neglected.
• Schools: some areas have better-equipped schools because of politics, not because of hard work.

Poverty and class injustice

• Wealthy child: has access to good schools, healthcare and opportunities.
• Poor child: may struggle just to eat.
• Why it is unfair: both children may work hard, yet their chances are very different.

What is the rule of law?

The rule of law is the principle that everyone, including the government, must obey the law, and no one is above it.

• Equal application: laws apply equally to everyone.
• Known laws: people know what the laws are.
• Same consequences: anyone who breaks the law faces the same consequences, whoever they are.
• Independent courts: courts do not take orders from politicians.
• Fair procedures: lawbreakers are punished through fair procedures.
• Example of injustice: if a president breaks the law without punishment while ordinary citizens go to jail for the same crime, the rule of law has failed.

Why does the rule of law matter for justice?

The rule of law matters because justice cannot exist if powerful people are free to ignore the law.

• Protection: it protects everyone, including the poor, the weak and minorities.
• Equal treatment: it says that no matter how powerful you are, the law applies to you.
• Without it: power takes the place of justice and the powerful always win.

What weakens the rule of law in Nigeria?

• Unlawful arrests: police sometimes arrest people without proper procedures.
• Connections: rich people sometimes escape justice through connections.
• Unequal prosecution: powerful politicians are sometimes not prosecuted for crimes for which ordinary people would go to jail.
• Delay: courts are slow, so justice is delayed.
• No lawyers: some people cannot get a lawyer to defend them.

How does the rule of law make social justice real?

The rule of law makes social justice real by turning fair ideas into laws that courts can enforce.

• Pay example: a company pays women less than men for the same job. Labour laws make this illegal and force the company to stop.
• Admission example: a student is refused university admission because of ethnicity. This is discrimination, which the Constitution forbids, and a court can order a remedy.
• Without laws and courts: social justice remains only nice words.

What are examples from Nigeria?

Education access

• The law: the Constitution directs the government to provide free, compulsory primary education and to make secondary education free progressively.
• Basic education: the Universal Basic Education Act 2004 makes basic education free and compulsory.
• The problem: many schools still lack buildings and teachers, so the rule of law is not working fully.
• The response: citizens and civil society groups press the government to meet its duty.

Gender equality

• The law: Nigeria has laws against domestic violence, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
• The failure: if police do not enforce the laws, or judges dismiss cases, women’s rights are denied.

Labour rights

• The law: workers have a right to fair wages and safe working conditions.
• The failure: if employers break these laws and nothing happens, the rule of law has failed.

Court access

• Cost: a poor person who cannot pay for a lawyer may not get justice.
• Distance: a farmer may be unable to reach courts in far-away cities.
• Effect: these rule of law problems harm social justice.

What are the challenges to justice in Nigeria?

There are five main challenges to justice in Nigeria: corruption, poverty, slow courts, powerful people escaping punishment and limited access to courts.

• Corruption: a corrupt judge may favour whoever pays, not whoever is right, and this destroys justice.
• Poverty: poor people cannot afford lawyers or court fees, so they cannot get justice even when they are right.
• Slow courts: cases take years, and by the time justice comes it may be too late. “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
• Powerful people getting away: failure to prosecute them weakens the rule of law and creates injustice.
• Limited access: people in remote areas cannot easily reach courts and are denied fair justice.

How can we promote justice and fairness?

There are eight ways to promote justice and fairness in Nigeria.

• Understand and respect the law: learn about Nigeria’s laws and Constitution. Obeying the law supports the rule of law.
• Report injustice: if someone is treated unfairly because of gender, ethnicity or class, speak up, tell an adult and report it to the proper authorities.
• Support equity: push for policies that help disadvantaged groups, such as better resources for your school or schooling for girls in your community.
• Choose fair leaders: vote for leaders who fight corruption, support equity and respect the rule of law.
• Practise fairness: treat others fairly, do not discriminate, be honest and keep your word.
• Demand accountability: when leaders break laws or act unjustly, hold them responsible through peaceful means such as public pressure and lawful protest.
• Support those fighting for justice: back human rights organisations, legal aid groups and activists.
• Educate others: talk to friends and family about justice, fairness and equity so that more people understand them.

Evaluation

1. What is the difference between equality and fairness? Give one example.
2. Define social justice and state three things that would be present where there is social justice.
3. What does the rule of law mean?
4. Explain how the rule of law helps to make social justice real.
5. State three challenges to justice in Nigeria.

Assignment

Describe one situation in your school or community that is equal but not fair. Explain why it is unfair, say what would make it equitable, and state one thing you can do to promote justice there.