Fundamental Human Rights, Polices of a Nigerian Private Mission University and the Safety of Students: Critical Analysis

Abstract

This article employed secondary data to critically examine policies, mission and vision of a private mission university in line with fundamental human rights and the safety of students. The high rate of violence and criminal activities across Nigeria seems to have given credence to such policies in as much as such policies emphasize students‟ safety and development. Therefore, academic freedom and students‟ fundamental human rights should be exercise within the policies designed to ensure students safety and development. In the past and in recent times, studies have explored several areas of student safety and development, most especially in developed nations where priority is placed on student affairs administration, but such efforts are yet to be examined in the literature emanating from Nigeria despite several criticism against the policies of the university. Contrary to the belief of many critics, violation of fundamental human rights does not exist in the university under study; instead, stringent policies and procedures attached to the actualization or implementation of such policies are in existence to safeguard students‟ safety and development. The study argued that the failure of some students to comply with the procedures attached to these policies seem to have created a scenario of violation which critics contend with. Thus, a stern look at these policies and their applicability to students‟ matters would have been better understood and appreciated instead of condemnation. However, the paper argued that implementation of policies should be exercised with caution, largely because disciplinary power is a sensitive issue and those exercising it must do so with thoughtfulness and in absolute good faith and in accordance with the rule of law.