Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Nigerian Children on Children’s Day
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, dreams, and futures of Nigerian children, as the country celebrates International Children’s Day 2025.
In a heartfelt address to children across the nation, the President described them as “the pride and future of our great nation,” underscoring the government’s moral, constitutional, and generational responsibility to ensure every child is safe, supported, and empowered.
This year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” was hailed by the President as a timely call to action. He emphasized the urgent need to create a culture where children feel safe, respected, and heard, both offline and online.
Citing troubling global and national statistics, President Tinubu highlighted that bullying and violence affect a significant number of school-age children in Nigeria, warning that “a child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”
As part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President outlined several key initiatives to address these challenges. These include the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), the review and strengthening of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), and stricter enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to tackle cyberbullying and online abuse.
He also launched the “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, calling on every Nigerian—parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, and lawmakers to become child protection champions. While all 36 states have domesticated the Child Rights Act, the President stressed the need for more robust implementation at every level.
President Tinubu highlighted ongoing programs such as the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case tracking, the establishment of community-based child protection mechanisms, nationwide awareness campaigns against harmful traditional practices, and extensive training for frontline responders.
In a major boost to child health and welfare, he announced the creation of a Department of Nutrition under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the expansion of Mother and Child Hospitals across all geopolitical zones, and the development of a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to school feeding schemes, the Nutrition 774 programme, and the introduction of a National Child Wellbeing Index to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Addressing Nigerian children directly, the President offered a message of reassurance and empowerment: “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 urged all stakeholders to place child rights at the heart of national planning, budgeting, and policymaking. “Let today mark 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,” he said.
The President concluded with a message of hope and celebration: “Congratulations to all our children. May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future.”
