From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for collective action to protect Nigerian children from bullying at a press briefing to mark the 2025 National Children’s Day. The event, held at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Creche, centered on the theme “Speak Up, Stand Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”
She highlighted the alarming prevalence of bullying in schools, citing studies showing that over half of Nigerian adolescent students have experienced bullying. She stressed that bullying, whether physical, emotional, cyber, or institutional, threatens children’s safety, development, and mental health.
The Minister referenced Nigeria’s legal protections for children, including the Child Rights Act and the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, but noted that persistent bullying incidents show more must be done. She commended the Federal Ministry of Education for launching anti-bullying guidelines and urged strict enforcement.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim outlined a range of government initiatives, including the review of child protection policies, the rollout of new guidelines for alternative care and childcare facilities, and efforts to amplify children’s voices through the Nigeria Children’s Parliament.
She emphasized the need for parents, teachers, community leaders, and the media to work together to end bullying and protect children. “Bullying is not just a school issue; it is a societal problem that demands collective, sustained action,” she said.
The Minister said: “To our children; your voice matters. Speak up. Stand tall. And never be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. Beginning from parents; please nurture with wisdom, discipline with love, listen with your hearts and lead by example. To the teachers; be guardians of safety, torchbearers of kindness, never turning a blind eye to cruelty in your classrooms.”
Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament and representative from Akwa Ibom State, Umoh Friday, also speaking said: “I am here before you today, not just as a young girl from Nigeria, but as a representative to the millions of children whose voices deserve to echo through the halls of power, policy, and national progress,” she began.
Umoh expressed deep gratitude to the Minister for her tireless advocacy and unwavering dedication to the rights and welfare of Nigerian children. “In times where voices go unheard, yours has been resounding, firm, and filled with purpose. Thank you for carrying us, the Nigerian children — in your plans, heart, and action,” she said.
She highlighted the vibrant role of the National Children’s Parliament as a platform for child advocacy, where children come together to deliberate on pressing issues and present their resolutions to the government. “Through sittings, we interact, share experiences, and offer possible solutions to the challenges children face across the country. It is through this active engagement that we amplify our voices and drive change from a child’s perspective,” she explained.
Addressing the theme of this year’s National Children’s Day, Umoh stated, “‘Stand Up, Speak Up; Building a Bullying-Free Generation’ couldn’t be more timely. As we gather here, children across nations are navigating fear, violence, and exclusion in spaces that should nurture them. It is time we give them more than just promises — we must give them protection, platforms, and power.”
She called for the full implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools across the country. “A child cannot learn in fear or in a war zone. Safety in learning environments must be the standard, not the exception,” she emphasized.
Umoh urged the government to go beyond signing the Safe School Declaration and to bring it to life, especially in crisis-prone areas. “No child should sit in a classroom and wonder if they’ll make it home,” she said.
She also advocated for the strengthening of child rights advocacy clubs in schools, particularly in underserved and rural areas, to foster inclusivity and build young leaders. “This creates a means of inclusivity, which is in line with child participation, one of the fundamental children’s rights,” she noted.
She commended the government for establishing the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education but called for more comprehensive action. “These are not invisible children; these are future leaders, teachers, innovators — and they deserve more. I call for a comprehensive action plan to rescue, protect, and rehabilitate these children, creating safe spaces, access to quality education, and equipping them with digital and technological skills,” she said.
She highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Girl-Led Movement, supported by Save the Children International, which empower girls to raise their voices and share their experiences. “It was powerful, it was necessary, and it must not be the last of its kind. More of such initiatives should be supported and scaled, including that of the boy child. We must not just be in conversations; we must be at the center of them,” she urged.
Umoh: “So to the Honorable Minister and to every partner here today, I say thank you for not just listening, but for acting. Let us build a Nigeria where children are safe, a Nigeria free from child labor and trafficking, a Nigeria where every child, no matter where they come from, has the tools to learn, dream, speak, and rise.”
She concluded with a poignant reminder: “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.’”
A series of events are planned for Children’s Day, including a march-past, a showcase at the State House, and a special party for children.