President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting and empowering Nigerian children, in a stirring address marking the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration.
Speaking with pride and resolve, the President called on all Nigerians to join in building a future where every child is safe, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Addressing Nigerian children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” President Tinubu said, “I join you to celebrate the 2025 National Children’s Day with immense pride and profound joy. On this special day, let me reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and protecting you as Nigeria’s future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”
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The 2025 celebration, themed “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” focuses on eliminating bullying and violence among children. President Tinubu underscored the urgency of the theme, citing alarming statistics on bullying.
“Globally, more than 1 in 3 children experience bullying regularly. In Nigeria, studies estimate that up to 65% of school-age children have experienced some form of physical, psychological, or social aggression. This is unacceptable,” he said.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” the President added, pledging that his administration will ensure the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), which he recently launched. The plan, he said, “provides a comprehensive roadmap to prevent abuse, prosecute perpetrators, and support victims, backed by robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination.”
Legislative and Institutional Overhauls UnderwayPresident Tinubu announced several legislative reviews and policy upgrades intended to bolster child protection. These include a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015) to close implementation gaps and ensure enforcement across the country.
“We are also leveraging the Cybercrime Act… to protect children from cyberbullying, exploitation, and abuse,” he said.
Commending the 36 states that have domesticated the Child Rights Act, President Tinubu emphasized that “laws alone will not be sufficient.”
He stressed the need for a collective responsibility where “parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens must take ownership.”
To institutionalise protection efforts, the President said his administration is expanding the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case tracking, and strengthening community-based protection mechanisms under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
“We are investing in other focused national systems for child protection,” he said, adding that child protection structures are being scaled up across the six geopolitical zones, including dedicated Mother and Child Hospitals and integrated health care services.
Building an Inclusive Education and Welfare SystemPresident Tinubu outlined several ongoing initiatives designed to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education and welfare support. These include the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children and a new National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
“We embed social-emotional learning and child safeguarding into teacher training,” he said, while highlighting efforts to create inclusive pathways for vulnerable children to thrive.
Additionally, the School Feeding Scheme and Nutrition 774 project are being scaled up to combat hunger and improve learning outcomes.
“The Nutrition 774 project aims to ensure no child in Nigeria goes hungry. A well-nourished child is well-equipped and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow,” Tinubu stated.
In further support of these efforts, the President announced the creation of a dedicated Department of Nutrition within the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, tasked with enhancing programme delivery and coordinating maternal and child nutrition policies nationwide.
Universal Grants and Accountability FrameworksThe President said his administration is finalising a Universal Child Grant and developing a National Child Wellbeing Index to track progress and identify gaps.
“We are investing in social protection tools… to hold ourselves accountable,” he noted.
Highlighting the importance of communal vigilance, President Tinubu announced the launch of a national campaign titled “See Something, Say Something, Do Something”, aimed at making every citizen a child protection champion.
Addressing children directly, President Tinubu delivered an emotional and empowering message: “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 concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders: “We must embed child rights in all our budgets, plans, and policies. Our children are not just statistics—they are the heart of our nation.”
President Tinubu urged every state government to take bold steps in protecting children’s welfare, asserting that “now is the time. 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.”
“Congratulations to all our children,” he said. “May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future.”
