President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, dreams, and future of every Nigerian child as the nation celebrates the 2025 International Children’s Day.
Addressing children nationwide on Tuesday, the President described them as “the pride and future of our great nation,” stressing the government’s moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure their safety, development, and protection.
“Our children are the most precious part of our national fabric, the heartbeat of our nation’s future, and the custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation, and leadership,” Tinubu said.
This year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” was praised by the President as a timely call to action. He emphasized the importance of creating environments, both physical and digital where every child feels safe, respected, and heard.
“Violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today,” he declared, citing global data showing over one in three children experience bullying and Nigerian studies indicating up to 65% of school-age children are affected.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” he stressed.
Under his Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu highlighted key initiatives including the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), the review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), and strict enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to curb cyberbullying.
He also introduced the “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, urging all Nigerians to take active roles in child protection.
“Laws alone will not be sufficient to protect our children. Parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens must take ownership,” he said. While all 36 states have domesticated the Child Rights Act, Tinubu stressed the need for stronger implementation.
Additional efforts mentioned include the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case tracking, community-based protection systems, anti-bullying campaigns, and training for frontline responders.
The President also announced the creation of a Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the expansion of Mother and Child Hospitals across all zones, and a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
He reaffirmed commitment to School Feeding Schemes, the Nutrition 774 Programme, and the development of a National Child Wellbeing Index for tracking progress.
Directly addressing children, Tinubu said: “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 for collective action: “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. May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future,” Tinubu said.
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