On National Children’s Day 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a powerful message, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to its youth. He declared children the “pride and future of our great nation,” vowing to nurture and protect them as future leaders and innovators.
A central theme of his address was the urgent need to combat bullying, stating unequivocally that “violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today.” He highlighted alarming statistics, with up to 65% of Nigerian children experiencing some form of aggression, emphasizing that “a child who learns in fear cannot learn well.”
President Tinubu outlined the government’s comprehensive “Renewed Hope Agenda” to safeguard children. This includes the recently launched National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), a roadmap to prevent abuse, prosecute perpetrators, and support victims. He also detailed efforts to strengthen the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, along with leveraging the Cybercrime Act to combat online exploitation.
While acknowledging the vital role of legislation, the President stressed the need for a holistic approach, urging parents, teachers, and communities to take ownership. He spoke of investments in child protection systems, community-based initiatives, and integrating child safeguarding into teacher training.
Beyond protection, President Tinubu highlighted efforts to improve healthcare for mothers and children, ensure child nutrition through programs like “Nutrition 774,” and establish a dedicated Department of Nutrition. He also announced plans for a Universal Child Grant and a Child Wellbeing Index to track progress.
In a call to action, he launched a nationwide “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, encouraging every Nigerian to become a child protection champion. Addressing the children directly, he affirmed, “You matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter.”
President Tinubu concluded by urging all stakeholders to prioritize child rights in their budgets and policies, envisioning “a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence, no child is left behind, and every child grows in dignity, peace, and love.”
