From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu in his message to Nigerian children and the nation on the occasion of the 2025 National Children’s Day, has emphasised his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting every child and building a bullying-free, inclusive society.
Addressing children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” President Tinubu expressed profound joy and pride, reaffirming the nation’s constitutional, moral, and intergenerational duty to safeguard every Nigerian child and nurture their dreams.
He described this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” as “timely,” highlighting the urgent need to foster environments where every child feels safe, respected, and heard—both offline and online. Tinubu condemned all forms of violence, bullying, and neglect, stating, “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”
With statistics revealing that up to 65% of Nigerian school-age children have experienced some form of physical, psychological, or social aggression, the President declared such levels of bullying “unacceptable.” He outlined robust government actions, including a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), as well as leveraging the Cybercrime Act to protect children from cyberbullying and exploitation.
President Tinubu highlighted the nationwide domestication of the Child Rights Act by 36 states, but stressed that “laws alone will not be sufficient to protect our children.” He called for a holistic approach involving parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens to take ownership of child protection.
The administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is prioritizing child protection through the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), backed by robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination. Investments are being made in real-time tracking systems like the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is strengthening community-based mechanisms and nationwide awareness campaigns.
The President also announced new measures, including a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, and guidelines for school administrators, with social-emotional learning and child safeguarding integrated into teacher training.
He said efforts are underway to expand access to primary healthcare, upscale Mother and Child Hospitals, and ensure every child is nourished through the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme.
To institutionalize these commitments, he said a dedicated Department of Nutrition has been established within the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Social protection tools such as the Universal Child Grant and a national Child Wellbeing Index are also being introduced.
President Tinubu launched a nationwide campaign: “See Something, Say Something, Do Something,” urging every Nigerian to become a child protection champion. “Our children’s safety cannot be solely anchored on government policies but on community vigilance,” he said.
Directing the message to children, the President stated: “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.”
He called on all partners and stakeholders to sustain and deepen collective efforts, embedding child rights in all budgets, plans, and policies. Tinubu commended states taking bold steps for children’s welfare and urged others to act, emphasizing: “Our children are not just statistics—they are the heart of our nation.”
In closing, President Tinubu called 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.”