On May 27, 2025, President Bola Tinubu delivered a heartfelt message to Nigerian children nationwide, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding their rights and nurturing their futures.
Marking the International Children’s Day, the President emphasized the critical role children play as “the pride and future of our great nation.”
In his address, Tinubu highlighted the government’s constitutional and moral responsibility to protect every child’s development and safety. “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,” he said, underscoring their centrality to Nigeria’s progress.
The 2025 Children’s Day theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” resonated deeply with the President, who called for a culture where children feel safe and respected both offline and online. He condemned violence and bullying, citing alarming statistics: globally, over one in three children experience bullying, while Nigerian studies estimate up to 65% of school-age children face aggression in various forms.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu stressed, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is implementing several initiatives, including the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), reviewing key legislation such as the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), and enforcing the Cybercrime Act to combat cyberbullying.
The President also launched a “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, urging all Nigerians to become proactive child protection advocates. “Laws alone will not be sufficient to protect our children. Parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens must take ownership,” he declared.
Tinubu detailed ongoing efforts such as the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time case response, community-based protection mechanisms, awareness campaigns against harmful traditional practices, and training for frontline responders.
Additionally, the government is establishing a Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, expanding Mother and Child Hospitals nationwide, and introducing a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools. The administration remains committed to School Feeding Schemes and the Nutrition 774 programme, alongside creating a National Child Wellbeing Index to monitor progress.
Directly addressing children, the President reassured them: “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 hopeful message, urging all stakeholders to embed child rights into every policy and budget. “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,” Tinubu said. “Congratulations to all our children. May your laughter echo across this land as a symbol of Renewed Hope and a prosperous future.”
