From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu launched the National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria on Thursday, May 8, urging strict enforcement of the Child Rights Act and related laws to ensure children’s safety and dignity.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the first regional meeting of Africa Pathfinder Countries under the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children in Abuja, Tinubu outlined initiatives, including a proposed Child Protection and Development Agency, a Universal Child Grant to reduce poverty, a National Child Protection Database, and a Child Well-being Index.
Tinubu stated, “Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children. But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable—it is the will behind those laws and the systems that enforce them that make the difference.”
He added, “We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability. The real hope lies in action—concrete, deliberate action.”
The plan emphasises prevention, positive parenting, and support for vulnerable households, with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs equipped to lead efforts. Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted progress since the November 2024 Bogotá Ministerial Conference, including stronger legal frameworks, an expanded Safe Schools Programme, and a revised National Strategy to End Child Marriage.
UN Special Representative Najat M’jid urged African leaders to prioritise actionable steps, while delegates from Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso reaffirmed their commitment to the Global Alliance’s goals.