President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of Nigerian children during his address marking the 2025 International Children's Day on Tuesday.
In a statement personally signed by the President, Tinubu described Nigerian children as the "pride and future of our great nation" while highlighting the urgent need for collective action to tackle bullying, violence, and neglect affecting millions of children across the country.
The President revealed alarming statistics showing that up to 65 percent of school-age children in Nigeria have experienced some form of bullying or aggression, declaring such situations "unacceptable" and emphasizing that "a child who learns in fear cannot learn well."
Comprehensive Child Protection Initiatives
Aligning with this year's theme, "Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation," Tinubu unveiled several initiatives to strengthen child protection frameworks across the nation.
These include the full implementation of Nigeria's National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), and leveraging the Cybercrime Act to protect children from online threats.
"I am pleased to note that 36 states have domesticated the Child Rights Act, thus reflecting our collective resolve to protect and provide for the welfare of children," Tinubu stated, while acknowledging that "laws alone will not be sufficient to protect our children."
Enhanced Tracking and Response Systems
The President announced the scaling up of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) to track and respond to cases in real-time, alongside efforts by the Ministry of Women's Affairs to strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms.
Additionally, the government has introduced a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools and developed Guidelines for School Administrators to embed social-emotional learning and child safeguarding into teacher training.
Healthcare and Nutrition Programs
Tinubu highlighted the expansion of primary healthcare access and the upscaling of dedicated Mother and Child Hospitals across all six geopolitical zones. The government is also implementing the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme to improve child health and cognitive development.
"A well-nourished child is well-equipped and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow," the President emphasized, adding that the Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs has established a dedicated Department of Nutrition to strengthen policy coherence around child and maternal nutrition.
Call for Community Vigilance
The President launched a nationwide "See Something, Say Something, Do Something" campaign, encouraging every Nigerian to become a child protection champion.
"Our children's safety cannot be solely anchored on government policies but on community vigilance," Tinubu stated, calling on all partners, stakeholders, and duty-bearers to sustain and deepen collective efforts to protect Nigerian children.
In his direct message to Nigerian children, the President affirmed: "You matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter. No one has the right to hurt, silence, or diminish you. If you are bullied or harmed, speak up—you will be heard and protected."
The President concluded by calling for "a renewed movement to build a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence, no child is left behind, and every child grows in dignity, peace, and love."
