…Launches national action plan against violence
By Sarah NEGEDU
As Nigeria marks the 2025 National Children’s Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and future of every Nigerian child.
The president who made these commitment at an event to mark the 2025 national children’s day, described Nigerian children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” emphasizing their role as the custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation, and leadership.
In his address at the national event, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”
While stressing the administration’s resolve to combat all forms of abuse against children, the president warned that “violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in Nigeria.”
Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, announced the official rollout of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030).
She explained that the initiative is backed by “robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination” to address prevention, prosecution, and victim support.
“Government is conducting a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015) to expand protections, close implementation gaps, and ensure nationwide enforcement,” Tinubu stated.
He added, “The Cybercrime Act is also being leveraged to combat cyberbullying and online exploitation. The Child Protection Information Management System, CPIMS, is being scaled up for real-time tracking and response to cases. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is strengthening community-based mechanisms and leading nationwide awareness campaigns.”
On education and inclusion, the president disclosed the introduction of a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, alongside new guidelines for school administrators.
The president also highlighted ongoing investments in child health and nutrition, including the expansion of primary healthcare access, the upgrade of Mother and Child Hospitals, and the rollout of the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme. These, he said, are intended to ensure no child goes hungry and every child receives the nutrition needed to thrive.
Reassuring Nigerian children of their place at the center of national development, the president said, “Your voices and dreams matter. Speak up if you are bullied or harmed. You will be heard and protected.”
In her remarks, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, reinforced the call for safe school environments and full enforcement of children’s rights laws across the country.
She commended parents, caregivers, and teachers for their pivotal roles in child development, describing Children’s Day as a national commitment to promoting children’s rights and welfare.
Benjamins-Laniyi expressed concern over the persistence of bullying in Nigerian schools and encouraged students to speak out, urging school authorities to adopt inclusive and safe learning environments.
“The Women Affairs Secretariat has also championed interventions such as advocacy against Gender-Based Violence and improved guidelines for orphanage homes,” she affirmed.
The Mandate Secretary called for the full domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act, adopted nationally in 2003, to guarantee that every Nigerian child enjoys their fundamental rights.
