The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Nigerian government to provide free and compulsory education for every Nigerian child.

The judgment followed the court’s earlier ruling that all Nigerians are entitled to education as a legal and human right.

The court’s judgment was sequel to a suit instituted by the Registered Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the Federal Government and Universal Basic Education Commission.

SERAP had alleged the violation of the right to quality education, the right to dignity, the right of people to their wealth and natural resources and to economic and social development guaranteed by Articles 1, 2, 17, 21 and 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

SERAP’s suit [No ECW/CCJ/APP/0808] followed an earlier petition it sent to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of mismanagement of UBEC funds.