President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to child protection, inclusive development and national investment in the welfare of Nigerian children.
Delivering a formal address on the occasion of the 2025 National Children’s Day, the President described Nigerian children as the “heartbeat of our nation” and the core of the country’s future security and prosperity.
In a statement issued Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the President highlighted the strategic importance of building a society where every child can grow in safety, dignity and hope, calling for coordinated action from all stakeholders to eliminate violence, abuse, and neglect.
“This year’s theme, Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation, captures the culture we must build across every school, home, and digital space in Nigeria,” Tinubu said. “Children must be free to learn, grow, and express themselves without fear. Violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today.”
President Tinubu cited data showing that up to 65% of school-aged Nigerian children have experienced physical or psychological aggression. He described this statistic as “unacceptable” and emphasized that a child “who learns in fear cannot learn well.”
As part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President confirmed the full rollout of Nigeria’s National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), a multi-sectoral framework that includes prevention strategies, legal reforms, and victim support services.
He also announced an ongoing review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), aimed at strengthening enforcement and expanding the legal protections available to children nationwide.
President Tinubu also revealed that all 36 states have now domesticated the Child Rights Act, but added that legislation alone would not be sufficient to secure children’s welfare. “Parents, teachers, caregivers, lawmakers, and faith leaders must all take ownership of child protection. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.
Additional initiatives highlighted in the address include:
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Launch of a nationwide ‘See Something, Say Something, Do Something’ campaign, designed to promote vigilance and citizen-led reporting of child abuse or exploitation.
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Expansion of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) to ensure real-time tracking and response to abuse cases.
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Enhanced integration of social-emotional learning in teacher training to embed safeguarding principles in education.
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New Department of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs to improve policy coherence around maternal and child nutrition.
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Implementation of the Universal Child Grant and finalisation of a national Child Wellbeing Index to track progress and drive accountability.
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Strengthened school safety and inclusion measures through the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, and the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
On the healthcare front, President Tinubu affirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding access to maternal and child health services through the scaling of dedicated hospitals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He also reiterated the importance of the Nutrition 774 programme and the National School Feeding Scheme in improving child development outcomes.
“We believe every child deserves the right to grow up in a loving and protective environment. No child should suffer in silence or be left behind,” he said.
Calling for renewed action, the President urged all state governments yet to fully align with federal policies to act decisively. “Our children are not just statistics. They are the soul of our Republic and the foundation of our national future,” he stated.
As Nigeria joins the global community in marking Children’s Day, President Tinubu’s message reinforces the federal government’s positioning of child welfare as a central pillar of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The administration’s emphasis on digital protection, legal reform, community engagement and social investment signals a long-term strategy to build a safer, more inclusive society for Nigeria’s next generation.
