As Nigeria marks National Children’s Day 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent a heartfelt message to the nation’s children, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to their safety, development, and future.
Describing Nigerian children as the “heartbeat of the nation’s tomorrow,” President Tinubu pledged that his government would continue to create an environment where every child is protected, heard, and empowered to thrive.
Standing Up for Children: A Nation-Wide Call Against Bullying
This year’s Children’s Day theme—“Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation”—was front and center in the President’s message. Tinubu strongly condemned all forms of bullying and violence, both in schools and online, declaring that such behaviors have no place in the Nigeria of today.
“A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” the President emphasized.
He cited alarming statistics, including a finding that over 65% of school-age children in Nigeria have experienced bullying or aggression. Tinubu highlighted his administration’s focus on addressing these issues through comprehensive national policies and legal reforms.
Key Commitments Under the Renewed Hope Agenda
- President Tinubu’s address outlined several key initiatives aimed at securing the rights and well-being of Nigerian children:
- National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030)
- Review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015)
- Expansion of Cybercrime protections against cyberbullying and online exploitation
- Scaling up the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time response
- Strengthening maternal and child healthcare systems across all geopolitical zones
- Implementation of the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme
- Creation of the Universal Child Grant and a Child Wellbeing Index to track progress
- He also revealed plans to launch a national “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, urging all Nigerians to take personal responsibility for child safety in their communities.
“You Matter”: A Direct Message to Nigerian Children
To close his speech, President Tinubu delivered a direct message to the children of Nigeria:
“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 urged states yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act to act now and called on all stakeholders to embed child rights in every budget, policy, and plan moving forward.
A Future Rooted in Renewed Hope
Children’s Day 2025 is not just a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder of the work ahead to create a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence and every child grows in dignity, safety, and love.
Let’s be the voice for the voiceless. Let’s protect our future.
What You Can Do:
Join the movement to build a safer Nigeria for children.
Speak up against bullying. Report abuse. Support inclusive education.
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