FG announces full implementation of national plan to end violence against children

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Federal Government has announced the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), marking a new era in child protection and welfare across Nigeria.

President Bola  Tinubu made the announcement at the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration, themed “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”

The president, represented by the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, declared that violence, bullying and neglect have no place in Nigerian society and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every child.

The National Plan of Action, a comprehensive roadmap, is designed to prevent abuse, ensure perpetrators are prosecuted, and provide robust support for victims. It is underpinned by significant government financing and a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach involving ministries, law enforcement, education, and social services.

He emphasised the plan’s broad scope, which includes a thorough review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015) to expand protections and close existing implementation gaps. The president also highlighted the use of the Cybercrime Act to combat cyberbullying and online exploitation, ensuring children are safe both offline and online.

To enhance monitoring and response, the government is scaling up the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time tracking and intervention in cases of abuse. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is leading nationwide awareness campaigns and strengthening community-based protection mechanisms.

On education, President Tinubu introduced a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, with clear guidelines for school administrators. Teacher training programs now include social-emotional learning and child safeguarding as core components.

The president also outlined ongoing efforts to expand access to primary healthcare, upgrade Mother and Child Hospitals, and implement the Nutrition 774 Programme and School Feeding Scheme to ensure every child receives adequate nutrition and support.

He assured children that their voices matter and urged them to speak out if they experience harm, promising swift action and protection. He commended states that have prioritized children’s welfare and called on others to follow suit.

FCT Women Affairs Mandate Secretary, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, echoed the president’s message, urging the full domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act by all states and calling for bullying-free schools nationwide. She praised parents, caregivers, and educators for their vital role in nurturing children and highlighted ongoing advocacy against gender-based violence and improvements in orphanage home guidelines.

The event concluded with the presentation of trophies to schools that participated in a march past, celebrating the nation’s renewed commitment to ending violence against children and building a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.

Earlier, in his message to Nigerian children and the nation on the occasion of the 2025 National Children’s Day, had 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 joy and pride and reaffirmed 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 and stressed  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.

He 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 for 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.”