President Bola Tinubu has decried the growing trend of bullying in Nigerian schools, declaring it unacceptable and counterproductive to children’s development.
In a message delivered Tuesday to commemorate the 2025 National Children’s Day, themed “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” the President emphasized that children cannot thrive in fear. “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well and a child who grows in fear cannot grow right,” Tinubu said.
He cited global statistics showing that more than one in three children face bullying regularly, while in Nigeria, up to 65% of school-aged children have experienced physical, psychological, or social aggression.
“My Dear Children, the pride and future of our great nation, I join you to celebrate the 2025 National Children’s Day with immense pride and profound joy. On this special day, let me reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and protecting you as Nigeria’s future leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” the President wrote in a personal message.
Addressing children directly, he acknowledged their central role in shaping the country’s future: “Across every school, community, and home in Nigeria today, you 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.”
The President went on to highlight several initiatives his administration has undertaken to protect children’s welfare and promote a safe environment.
“I therefore reaffirm today our constitutional, moral, and intergenerational duty and commitment to safeguard every Nigerian child, protect his rights, and nurture his dreams,” he stated.
Referencing this year’s theme, Tinubu said it reflects the values his administration is striving to instill. “This year’s theme, ‘Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,’ could not have been more timely as it speaks directly to the culture we are building. A culture where every child feels safe, respected, and heard, both in physical spaces and digital communities. Just to be clear, violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today.”
He said his government prioritizes child safety under its Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to the recently launched National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030) as a key policy framework.
“Our dear children, we prioritise child protection under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This includes the full implementation of Nigeria’s National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), which I recently launched. The plan provides a comprehensive roadmap to prevent abuse, prosecute perpetrators, and support victims, backed by robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination.”
The President added that reforms are underway to reinforce existing legal protections.
“We are further taking decisive steps to prevent, detect, and respond to all forms of violence against children. As a government, we have initiated a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015) to expand the scope of protection, strengthen their provisions, close implementation gaps, and ensure nationwide enforcement. We are also leveraging the Cybercrime Act, which is in full force, to protect children from cyberbullying, exploitation, and abuse.”