Children’s participation in Protest in Nigeria: Ethical Implications and Concerns

Abstract

The use of vulnerable populations in Protests constitutes a danger to any society globally. The situation is worse in weak socioeconomic societies. Nigeria has been experiencing intensified frictions in recent years due to economic hardship, insurgency, climate change and communal clashes. These have led to a growing occurrence in the use of vulnerable children in protests. Most often, these protests do result in destructive act. However, the motivation for this act of involving children in protests is not clear. This paper examines the perceived motive behind the use of children in protests in Nigeria and the ethical implications. We argue that the use of children in protests violates their fundamental rights and puts them at risk of physical, psychological, and emotional harm, as well as death. Furthermore, it undermines the moral fabric of any society and promotes a culture of violence for and against the children. We conclude by recommending strategies to prevent the use of children in protests so as to promote a culture of positive value and inculcate accountability in them.