Children’s day: Tinubu reaffirms commitment to child protection

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding and uplifting the rights and welfare of Nigerian children, as the nation marks the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration.

In a heartfelt national address, the President described children as the “pride and future of our great nation” and emphasized the need to build a Nigeria where every child grows in safety, dignity, and love.

The theme of this year’s celebration, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” was lauded by the President as a timely call to action.

He condemned the prevalence of bullying and violence, highlighting that over 65% of Nigerian school-age children have experienced some form of aggression.

Abuja ground rent: Tinubu intervenes, grants 14-day grace to defaulters

“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu declared.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President outlined several initiatives aimed at protecting children, including the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030) and a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015).

He also announced efforts to strengthen child protection systems, such as expanding the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) and establishing a dedicated Department of Nutrition to address child and maternal health.

Additionally, the government is scaling up the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme to improve child health and development nationwide.

In a call for collective responsibility, President Tinubu launched a nationwide “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, urging citizens, teachers, caregivers, and religious leaders to become champions of child protection.

“I want every Nigerian child to know: your dreams matter, your voices matter. If you are bullied or harmed, speak up—you will be heard and protected,” he assured.

The President concluded his address with a rallying cry to all stakeholders and state governments to deepen their commitment to child welfare, emphasizing that “our children are not just statistics—they are the heart of our nation.”

Children across Nigeria marked the day with parades, cultural performances, and activities highlighting the importance of education, safety, and inclusivity.