Yemi Obafemi
In commemoration Children’s Day 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for collective action to eliminate bullying, uphold children’s rights, and ensure their well-being across all sectors.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive, and nurturing environment for Nigerian children.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” the President described bullying and violence as unacceptable and reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance stance. “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu stated.
He highlighted alarming statistics indicating that up to 65% of Nigerian children have faced physical or psychological bullying, calling it a national concern.
To combat this, the President announced the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), a roadmap aimed at prevention, prosecution of offenders, and support for victims.
President Tinubu revealed ongoing reforms, including the review of key legislative frameworks the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015) to enhance legal protections and close enforcement gaps.
The Cybercrime Act is also being enforced to shield children from online abuse and exploitation.
He praised the 36 states that have domesticated the Child Rights Act and launched a national campaign, “See Something, Say Something, Do Something,” urging citizens to become active defenders of children’s rights.
Other major strides under the Renewed Hope Agenda include the expansion of Mother and Child Hospitals, the Nutrition 774 programme to combat hunger, the introduction of a Universal Child Grant, and the scaling of digital systems like the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time response to abuse cases.
“This is more than policy it is a promise,” Tinubu declared, urging lawmakers, communities, teachers, faith leaders, and families to join hands in protecting the country’s most vulnerable.
He concluded with a message of encouragement to Nigerian children: “Your dreams matter. Your voices matter. No one has the right to hurt, silence, or diminish you
