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The article conceptualises the place of non-state actors in international law and the important roles they ought to play if functioning well. It argues that most non-state actors remain underutilised in the realisation of their mandates or objectives that they are created to achieve. It has been argued that this possibly is premised on the paucity of human rights education, knowledge of international human rights instruments and their application in national laws. Considering the wide range of perceptions of non-state actors the article examines the emergence of law clinics in several Nigerian universities as non-state actors. It argues that the lack of engagement and adequate training of law clinics in enhancing access to justice of persons with disabilities as envisaged in article 13(2) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is responsible for the underutilisation of law clinics as non-state actors. In addition, the article advances the argument that the continued poor engagement is also linked to a lack of appreciation and understanding of the relevant human rights instruments, especially with respect to the CRPD. Consequently, the article construes non-state actors as effectively being in the woods (human rights discourse) but unable to effectively see the trees (enhancement of access to justice of persons with disability). The article adopts a restricted quantitative methodological approach to collect and analyse data (knowledge and perception) by engaging in informal unstructured interviews with law clinic coordinators and students in Nigeria as it pertains to the question of access to justice of persons with disabilities. The article proposes that law clinics should be effectively positioned to make a greater impact on access to justice of persons with disabilities. To achieve this the article proposes the development of quality human rights education to enhance, among other things, the understanding and perception of the disability concept, access to justice, and an appreciation of relevant human rights instruments.

Violence against children is a major threat to global development, as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Protecting children from the ravages of violence is a state obligation, a legal duty and a concern for international peace and security. It is also a key humanitarian issue in conflict-affected areas. While Nigeria is a state party to several international law instruments that enshrine the protection of children, Nigerian children are subjected to violence, particularly in recent times, by the insurgency of Boko Haram. Since the advent of Boko Haram in Nigeria, the child is arguably the most vulnerable. From inhibition of the realisation of the right to education among other child rights to the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls, danger continues to loom large. Considering that children have been recruited as members of the sect carrying out attacks on the society, the challenge deepens. This paper seeks to look beyond the question of law and explores a socio-legal approach to curbing the Boko Haram insurgency. It will examine not only the general and specific legislative, institutional, policy and administrative measures for addressing the Boko Haram insurgency but also the activities of other militia groups. The paper will conclude by making recommendations for policy formulation and development of interventions for the prevention and mitigation of the effects of violence against the Nigerian child in order to stimulate further dialogue on child rights from a socio-legal perspective.

Nigeria and Uganda have both ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and have enacted domestic legislations that provide for the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of children. Sadly, child marriage still exists and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and school dropout among children in both countries. This paper examines the legal and policy frameworks for combating child marriage and highlights the trends, challenges and prospects from a socio-legal perspective. It reveals a number of systematic procedural problems in the legal and policy apparatus for addressing child marriage. In responding to these challenges, the authors argue that the Nigerian and Ugandan governments should enhance access to basic education and initiate institutional reforms pertinent to the legal framework for effective enforcement of the laws that address child marriage.