My right as a Nigerian to move freely across Nigeria

As a Nigerian, your right to travel across the thirty-six states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory is guaranteed. This right gives you the freedom of physical movement from one part of Nigeria to another by modes of accepted transportation. This right cannot be taken away from you except in ways permitted by the constitution such as someone already convicted, someone under reasonable suspicion of having committed a crime, lawful curfews, person suffering from infectious diseases like some were restricted during Ebola outbreak.

Outside the lawfully permitted circumstances, no person can be place on restriction from travelling from state to state and within a state.

My right to freedom of movement (Introduction)

  • Introduction

Moving from one place to another is an important feature of man. Citizens of Nigeria have the freedom of movement, residence within Nigeria. You also have the right to leave your country and return to the same country. Nigeria.

Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides:

 

Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.

Kindly note, that this right is accorded only citizens of Nigeria. The scope of the right to freedom of movement is also reinforced under section 15(3) and (4) of the constitution, which provides:

  • For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the state to-
  • Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the federation;
  • Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the federation….
  • The state shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.

 

This right is so important that without it, we cannot exercise other rights like personal liberty and freedom of association and assembly.

The scope of the right is explained on other sub-headings under this section. We also explained the right to freedom of movement of Non-Nigerians as well.