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• Make education free, accessible, quality for every child, Nufi, Abuja student appeals to govt.
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has urged governments at all levels, families and communities to move beyond symbolic gestures and build a culture where children are not only “seen” but genuinely heard, as he declared firmly that “your opinion matters, your ideas matter, your well‑being matters” at the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration at Eagle Square.
Delivering a message through the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, President Tinubu said the statement was not just a slogan but a core principle for the nation’s democratic renewal.
He told the children from primary, junior and senior secondary schools that gathered at Eagle Square that their thoughts, concerns and aspirations are central to shaping the future of Nigeria.
President Tinubu said: “A nation that listens to its children is one that is wisely preparing for the future. We are committed to building a governance culture where children are not merely seen, but genuinely heard and meaningfully included in conversations that shape their lives and the destiny of our country.”
The President anchored this message on the 2026 theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” explaining that inclusion must be the moral foundation of national development. He stressed that no child—whether in urban centres or remote communities, whether physically challenged or socially vulnerable—should feel invisible, excluded or forgotten.
“Inclusion, therefore, must become the moral foundation of our national development,” he said. “No Nigerian child should ever feel invisible, unheard, excluded, or forgotten. Every child deserves equal access to quality education, healthcare, protection, nutrition, digital opportunity, and the dignity of belonging.”
In practical terms, the President linked this philosophy to the administration’s social investment framework under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He pointed to the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention–774, Nutrition 774, ANRiN 2.0 and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as proof that children’s voices are being translated into policy and budgetary choices.
“We are scaling up cost‑effective nutrition services for mothers and adolescent girls,” he said. “Our flagship Nutrition 774 Initiative empowers local governments to deliver community‑driven, lifesaving nutrition interventions directly to households across all 774 LGAs. We are also building future‑ready skills through targeted investments in STEM education,” and described the Ministry of Education’s NEDI platform as a tool to modernise learning environments and equip children with digital infrastructure.
On protection and participation, the President said the true measure of national progress is the strength of safeguards built around children. He repeated that the Child Rights Act has been domesticated nationwide, but added that the federal government is now reviewing both the Act and the National Child Policy “to ensure our entire regulatory framework remains modern, robust, and effective.”
“Through the 2025 Costed Action Plan, we are backing political will with financial commitment to decisively end violence against children, child marriage, and female genital mutilation,” he said. “We are moving from reactive protection to proactive empowerment, building a secure, responsive, and institutional ecosystem where every Nigerian child has a clear path to reach their full potential.”
President Tinubu also zeroed in on platforms where children’s ideas are formally recognised. He urged state governments to deepen support for the Nigerian Children’s Parliament, describing it as “one of the most important civic platforms for nurturing leadership, citizenship, confidence, dialogue, and democratic participation among our young people.
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“I have always maintained that the greatest natural resource of Nigeria is not beneath the ground, but within the hearts and minds of our people, especially our children and youth,” he said. “Your resilience and determination continue to inspire hope for a stronger Nigeria.”
The message “your opinion matters, your ideas matter, your well‑being matters” was echoed by the Federal Capital Territory’s Women Affairs Secretariat.
The President urged the children to shun violence, thuggery, cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime and bullying, warning that such vices “destroy destinies, weaken communities, fuel insecurity, and rob young people of the bright future they deserve.”
“Instead, I encourage you to embrace discipline, hard work, patriotism, honesty, compassion, and excellence,” he said. “Respect your parents and teachers. Focus on your education and talents. Use technology responsibly and commit yourselves to values that promote peace, unity, and national progress.”
In closing, he returned to the core triad: opinion, ideas and well‑being. “Dear children, never stop believing in yourselves and never stop believing in Nigeria,” the President said. “The future belongs to you, and this administration remains committed to building a nation where every child can dream boldly, grow safely, learn freely, and succeed honourably.”
In her welcome address, Minister of State of Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud, said the FCT Administration, supported by UNICEF Nigeria, is strengthening community‑based child protection structures, training auxiliary social workers, and tightening monitoring of homes and orphanages in the FCT to ensure children’s safety and dignity.
Represented by Permanent Secretary/Acting Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Hajiya Mukhtar, she said this year’s theme: “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,’ is a timely reminder that the future of our nation begins with the children of today.”
She assured, “We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to build an inclusive society where every child can learn, grow, and thrive irrespective of background or circumstance.”
Jessica Nufi, a student of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, has issued a powerful appeal to the Nigerian government on behalf of children nationwide, calling for free, accessible, quality education, greater protection from insecurity and violence, and an end to early marriage, cultism, drug abuse and environmental hazards.
Speaking at the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja, under the theme “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” Jessica told national leaders that despite the fanfare, millions of children still suffer exclusion, fear and neglect.
“In her message, Jessica Nufi lamented that because of poverty many children were still out of school,” an official transcript of the event read. “She also said insecurity was depriving many of education and safety, and early marriage was doing great harm to the girl child.”
Jessica’s voice crackled with emotion as she laid bare the realities many children face daily. “Insecurity is making children feel unsafe at school and at home,” she said. “Positioning [pressure], cultism, drugs are also impacting children negatively, making them feel unsafe at school and at home, and we are calling on government to act.”
Nufi appealed to governments across all levels: “Make education free, accessible and quality for every child, regardless of background or location. Strengthen healthcare so no child is ever left behind, especially for those with special needs. Ensure total inclusion for children to be safe in school and public spaces and in national life. Protect us from insecurity and violence so we can learn and grow in peace.”
Her call to action was not only about protection, but also about the kind of Nigeria being handed over to the new generation. “Create an environment free from drugs, cultism and environmental hazards,” she said. “So you can hand over to us a Nigeria we can be proud of, and a Nigeria where every child belongs.”
Jessica’s speech shifted from plea to pledge as she spoke on behalf of the “Nigerian children.” She promised that if adults kept their part of the social contract, children would keep theirs.
“And we, the Nigerian children, make you a promise,” she declared. “We will obey our parents and teachers. We will study hard and pursue excellence. We will obey the law of our country, shun drugs and all vices. We promise to be responsible leaders tomorrow.”
Her words drew thunderous applause from children, parents, and officials alike.
