By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu said his administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Violence Against Persons Act (2015) towards expanding protection, close implementation gaps and ensure nationwide enforcement.
Tinubu, who made these remarks on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration, highlighted the importance of this year’s theme, ‘Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.’
The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described Nigerian children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” emphasising their role as the custodians of tomorrow’s promises, innovation and leadership.
In his address to the nation, President Tinubu described children as “the pride and future of our great nation,” emphasising their role as the custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation, and leadership.
The president, who used the occasion to announce the full implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), said this comprehensive roadmap is aimed at preventing abuse, prosecuting perpetrators and supporting victims. The plan is backed by robust financing and multi-sectoral coordination.
“The Cybercrime Act is also being leveraged to combat cyberbullying and online exploitation.
“The Child Protection Information Management System, CPIMS, is being scaled up for real-time tracking and response to cases.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs is strengthening community-based mechanisms and leading nationwide awareness campaigns.”
On education and inclusion, the president said a National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools has been introduced, with guidelines for school administrators. Social-emotional learning and child safeguarding have been embedded in teacher training.
He stressed that government is expanding access to primary healthcare, upscaling Mother and Child Hospitals, implementing the Nutrition 774 programme and School Feeding Scheme to ensure that no child goes hungry and every child receives the nutrition needed to thrive.
Tinubu assured children that their voices and dreams matter, while urging them to speak up if they are bullied or harmed, promising that they would be heard and protected.
Speaking, the FCT Women Affairs Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi called for bullying-free schools and full implementation of the Child Rights Act
Benjamins-Laniyi commended parents, caregivers and educators for their vital role in nurturing children and emphasized the importance of children as the nation’s future.
She emphasised the significance of the day, first observed in Nigeria in 1964, as a national commitment to promote children’s rights and welfare.
