President Bola Tinubu has sounded a nationwide call to action to end bullying, violence, and neglect against Nigerian children, declaring them the “heartbeat of the nation’s future” as the country marked the 2025 International Children’s Day on Tuesday, May 27. In a rare personally signed statement, the President unveiled sweeping child protection reforms and urged all stakeholders—from parents to lawmakers—to build a Nigeria where “no child suffers in silence.”
In a heartfelt and reform-packed address titled “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” President Tinubu didn’t mince words as he spotlighted a grim reality: up to 65% of school-age children in Nigeria have faced bullying—physically, psychologically, or socially.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu warned.
Citing these disturbing figures, the President described the national bullying epidemic as not just a policy failure but a moral emergency. He affirmed that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, child protection is not just a priority—it is a national obligation.
To confront this crisis, Tinubu laid out a multi-pronged strategy:
- Full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030)
- A comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Act (2015)
- Enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to tackle online abuse and cyberbullying
- Rollout of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case tracking
- Strengthening of community-based response systems, frontline training, and awareness campaigns
“Violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today,” he declared.
According to Tinubu, all 36 states have now domesticated the Child Rights Act—a win he applauded—but warned that laws alone are not enough. “Protection must be holistic,” he said, urging every Nigerian to own the mission.
The President also announced the establishment of:
- A dedicated institutional framework for Child Protection and Development
- A Department of Nutrition under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs
- National Guidelines for Alternative Care, ensuring children without biological families are protected
Efforts to improve child welfare were further backed by the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Schemes, aimed at tackling hunger and enhancing learning. Tinubu said these initiatives are not just welfare—they’re nation-building tools.
“A well-nourished child is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.
To measure impact and ensure accountability, the administration is finalising a national Child Wellbeing Index and introducing the Universal Child Grant—a major shift in Nigeria’s approach to social protection.
In a powerful move, Tinubu launched the “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, calling on every Nigerian to become a child protection champion.
“You matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter,” the President assured children nationwide. “No one has the right to hurt, silence, or diminish you.”
He commended states already taking bold steps for child welfare and urged those lagging behind to act swiftly.
“Our children are not just statistics—they are the soul of this nation.”
President Tinubu concluded with a promise—and a prayer:
“May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future.”
As many of the plans and policies are still unfolding, updates on enforcement progress, budgetary allocation, and state-level execution are expected in the coming months.
