President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to safeguarding Nigerian children and nurturing them as future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
In a statement marking the 2025 International Children’s Day, the President emphasized the importance of this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” aligning it with his administration’s vision of fostering a safe and respectful environment for all children, both offline and online.
“Violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in today’s Nigeria,” he declared, citing troubling statistics—over 65% of Nigerian school-aged children have experienced some form of physical, psychological, or social aggression. “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”
As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu highlighted key initiatives, including the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030). This strategy outlines prevention, prosecution, and support mechanisms, backed by cross-sector coordination and financing.
The administration is also reviewing critical legislation—the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015)—to strengthen protections and close enforcement gaps. The Cybercrime Act is being leveraged to combat cyberbullying and online child exploitation.
With all 36 states having domesticated the Child Rights Act, Tinubu stressed the need for collective responsibility. “Laws alone are not enough. Parents, teachers, faith leaders, and communities must actively protect our children,” he said.
He outlined additional interventions:
Expansion of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case tracking;
Strengthening of community-based child protection systems;
Nationwide campaigns to end harmful traditional practices;
Establishment of a dedicated Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs;
Launch of a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools;
Integration of child safeguarding into teacher training;
Development of National Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children;
Scaling of Mother and Child Hospitals across all geopolitical zones;
Implementation of the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme to improve child health and cognitive development.
Tinubu also announced the forthcoming Universal Child Grant and a National Child Wellbeing Index to track progress and hold officials accountable.
To galvanize grassroots vigilance, the President launched a national campaign: “See Something, Say Something, Do Something,” urging citizens to become child protection advocates.
He expressed hope that this year’s observance would spark a national movement toward a Nigeria “where no child suffers in silence, no child is left behind, and every child grows in dignity, peace, and love.”