President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to child welfare and protection as Nigeria marks the 2025 National Children’s Day.
In a powerful address delivered Tuesday, President Tinubu celebrated Nigerian children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” vowing that his government will continue to safeguard their rights, support their growth, and confront every form of abuse and neglect.
The President aligned his message with this year’s theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” describing it as timely and crucial for shaping a safe and inclusive Nigeria. He condemned bullying in all its forms, citing alarming statistics showing that up to 65% of school-aged children in Nigeria have experienced some form of aggression.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), a review of key child protection laws, and enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to tackle online abuse.
President Tinubu highlighted recent strides such as the nationwide domestication of the Child Rights Act, the strengthening of community-based child protection systems, and the scale-up of the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) to track and respond to cases in real-time.
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On education and nutrition, he cited the Nutrition 774 program and the School Feeding Scheme as critical tools to ensure that “no child in Nigeria goes hungry,” and mentioned new investments in social protection tools like the Universal Child Grant and the National Child Wellbeing Index.
The President also launched a national campaign titled “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” to rally citizens around the cause of child protection.
To Nigerian 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 ended the address with a call to action for all stakeholders to place children’s welfare at the heart of national development.
“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,” he said.
Long live Nigerian children.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.