One of the outstanding and an inalienable social right of a citizen is the

1. Analyze the question The question asks for an "outstanding and inalienable" right of a citizen, described as a social right. "Inalienable" means a right that cannot be taken away, transferred, or surrendered.

2. Explain the concept Citizens' rights are usually grouped into categories:

• Civil/legal rights: life, liberty, fair hearing, privacy, property.
• Political rights: voting, being voted for, forming political parties.
• Economic/social rights: work, education, health, social security.

The right to life is the most basic and fundamental right. It is inalienable because all other rights depend on it. Without life, no other right can be enjoyed. Section 33 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees it, and it can be taken away only in limited, lawful circumstances, such as a court-ordered sentence.

3. Work through the options

• A. Right to own property: a civil/economic right. It can be restricted, for example through compulsory acquisition with compensation.
• B. Right to life: fundamental, universal, and inalienable. It is the foundation of all other rights.
• C. Right to privacy: a civil right, and it can be limited by law, such as in security investigations.
• D. Right to work: an economic right. It is not absolute, and the state cannot guarantee a job to everyone.
• E. Right to vote: a political right. It is limited by age, citizenship, and registration.

4. Answer Note that strictly speaking it is classified as a civil right, but in this question the examiners treat it as the basic right every citizen has in society.

5. Exam tip When you see the words "inalienable," "fundamental," or "basic" in a rights question, think right to life first. It is the foundation of every other right. Also remember that political rights (like voting) and economic rights (like work) are usually conditional, so they are rarely the answer to an "inalienable" question.