Study Session Learning Outcomes

After this study session, I expect you to be able to:

1. Compare and contrast Fundamental Objectives and Directive
Principles
2. Break down the Fundamental Obligations of Nigerian Government
3. Explore the provision of fundamental objectives and Directive
principles of state policy in Nigeria

1. FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES& DIRECTIVES PRINCIPLES

Fundamental objectives:

Fundamental objectives are the ideals which a nation should strive.

Fundamental objectives are the ultimate goals of a nation.

Directive principles:

Directive principles are the paths which lead to goals of fundamental objectives.

Directive principles are the ways and the means which must be followed in order
to attain the end goals of the fundamental objectives.

In general term fundamental objectives and directive principles are the

responsibilities of the government to the people.

2. FUNDAMENTAL OBLIGATION OF GOVERNMENT TO THE

PEOPLE

Chapter 2 section 13 of the 1999 constitution of federal republic of Nigeria

states that “It shall be the duty and responsibilities of all organs of government
and all activities and persons exercising legislative, Executives and judicial power
to conform, observe and apply the provision of this chapter of the constitution
these fundamental obligations are:
1. Protect the territorial integrity
2. Protect the Nigeria citizens both at home and abroad.
3. Maintain law and order, external attacks, and dependency
4. Promote national interest, national feelings, and patriotism and
5. Guarantee the fundamental human right of the citizens.

In-text Questions
1. Distinguish between Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles
2. State the Fundamental Obligation of government to the people
Answer:
1. Fundamental objectives are the ultimate goals of a nation. While Directive
principles are the paths which lead to goals of fundamental objectives.
2. Fundamental Obligations of Government are:
1. Protect the territorial integrity
2. Protect the Nigeria citizens both at home and abroad.
3. Maintain law and order, external attacks and dependency
4. Promote national interest, national feelings and patriotism and
5. Guarantee the fundamental human right of the citizens.

3. GENERAL PROVISIONS OR THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES

AND DIRECTIVCES PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
Some various provisions of the fundamental objectives and directives principles
of state policy as provided in the Nigerian constitution are:
Principles of democracy and social justice
1. The principles of popular sovereignty i.e. power belongs to the people and
people are the source of power
2. The primary purpose of the government
3. People’s participation in government in accordance with constitutional
provisions
4. The principle of federal charter, national unity and national loyalty.
5. Avoidance of predominance of persons from a few state or ethnic group in
the federation or any of agencies.
6. Promotion of sense of belonging and loyalty among citizens
7. Avoidance of tribalism and parochialism in running the affairs of
government
 8. The president and government are also duty bound to consult before
implementing any policy
9. Fundamental obligation of the government.
Other general provisions also include:
a. Economic objectives
b. Educational objectives
c. Environmental objectives
d. Political objectives
e. Social objectives
f. Foreign policy objectives
g. Directives on Nigerian culture
h. Obligation on mass media
i. Duties of the citizens etc.

1. POLICY
Policy is the set of interrelated decisions by a political actor or group of actors
concerning the selection of goals and the means to achieve them.
Policy is defined as essential cause of action or actions towards
achievement of desired goals.
In a simple text, policy means government programme of action or
important activities of government. e.g. Nigerian Economic policy, Education
policy, Foreign policy, Policy on Mass Media etc.

Additional Activities: Visit U-tube add

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RST3rYnf-pw )Watch the video &
summarise in 1 paragraph
2. DIRECT PRINCIPLE AND POLICY OF THE NIGERIA
GOVERNMENT ON CULTURE, MASS MEDIA AND NATIONAL
ETHICS.

CULTURE
Culture is defined as that complex whole which includes advanced development
of the human powers, knowledge, belief, art, morals, law and custom and any
other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Nigeria is
a heterogeneous society made up of different kinds of ethnic groups with distinct
cultures. However, there are some areas of similarities and differences of various
aspects of culture in Nigeria.
The directive on the Nigeria culture is that the state shall protect and enhance
Nigeria culture whether it is bad or primitive. It all depends on individual
understanding, perception, and imagination, in its marginal heading, the 1999
constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, and prescription for how life of
Nigeria people is to be lived in each society.
From the above, the state is responsible for the protection and enhancement on
Nigerian culture.
MASS MEDIA
These are the newspapers, radio, television etc. used in imparting information to
the people, subsection 21 of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of
Nigeria reads:
“Obligations of the Mass media.:? The main section provides that the press,
radio, television, and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free
to uphold the fundamental objective contained in the chapter and uphold the
responsibility and accountability of the government to the people
It is, therefore, the duty of the mass media to always give a balanced report about
government, policy, and programmes without any form of sentiment or prejudice.
This is the fundamental obligation of the mass media.
NATIONAL ETHICS
This is the last direct principle and policy of the Nigeria government. Ethics is
defined as that branch of philosophy, which deals with the morality of human
actions, norms behaviour and attitudes. It is also seen as the study of what is right
or good in conduct. The Nigeria constitution of 1999 chapter 1 section 2 states
that the national ethics of Nigeria shall be discipline, self-reliance, religious
tolerance, social justice and patriotism.

3. CONFLICT BETWEEN FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF STATE POLICY BY GOVERNMENT AND
PEOPLE OF NIGERIA

The question that always remains unanswered is which should take precedence
between Fundamental objectives and directive principle of state policy of
government in Nigeria? In a case where the government can implement an
objective by sacrificing others, what is to be done? This can be explained by a
hypothetical case supposing the government supports a liberation movement and
thereby commits itself to a few million naira of aids to the movement.

Resources being limited let us suppose that with this commitment, the
government is unable to provide education facilities would the government be
right by saying that since it is committed to financial liberation, it could not attain
other objectives conversely, let us suppose a government determines to bring
about rapid economic development and does not give enough aid to a liberation
movement in Africa, would the government be regarded as doing its obligation?
If a government can always justify its policies of implementing some of the
objectives by ignoring others is the positions satisfactory?
A popular case to cite, is the conflict between Arch Bishop Okogie Vs A, G Lagos
state (1981), it was argued by the state that it wanted to take over primary schools
in the state in order to provide free education to the people and thus it wished to
fulfil its obligation under section 18 the Directive on education.

The high court rejected the argument and observed that the directive principle
must conform to and run as subsidiary to the fundamental rights. However, where
there is no infringement of any fundamental right there can be no objective to the
state acting in accordance with the Directive principle, subject to the legislative
and executive powers conferred on the state.

The result is that a state or the federation may make laws and take steps to
implement the directive principle, but they must follow the objectives.
4. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID CONFLICT BETWEEN THE
FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF
STATE POLICY
As the constitution drafting committee defines the two terms the fundamental
objectives mean the ultimate objective of the nation and the directive means the
paths which lead to those objectives.
For the avoidance of any conflict therefore, the provision of both the fundamental
objectives and directive principle of states policy should be well spelt out in the
constitution.

Secondly, Legislation should also be promulgated for the strict adherence to the
constitution provision.
Thirdly, areas of ambiguities should be avoided as much as possible to reduce
conflict.