Thomas Aquinas Notion of Justice and Its Implication for Nigerian System

Abstract

Nigeria is a country that is richly blessed with natural endowment of mineral resources and good climate. But, one would say that the human growth is not in correspondent with the growth of the nation due to injustice meted to some parts of the country. The growth of every nation is based on the effort of the members of that nation. This effort if properly harnessed through justice and fairness by treating everyone equal without prejudice will create a lasting cohesion and a sustainable development in the nation. This study employs a qualitative research design where data were being sourced from books, journals, encyclopedia and internet. Historical, evaluative, analytical and expository methods were employed to understand the practice of justice in Nigeria. It is interesting for us to understand that equity and fairness is the bedrock of national growth. Any country that eschews equity and fairness among the citizens will find it very hard for national development. Findings in this study reviewed that headlines of daily news are rife with cases of agitations and insecurities orchestrated by lack of justice in the society. The work therefore established that for justice to prevail there is need to distribute the dividends of democracy equally among the entire states and regions of the country without concentrating everything on one part, region or tribe. However, the research agreed with Aquinas on his notion of justice and therefore recommends that if Nigeria society will affirm equality of all members, there would not be insecurity, religious division, tribal war, sectionist agitations and revolutions