Theme: “Speak Up, Stand Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation”
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for urgent, collective action against bullying and all forms of violence affecting Nigerian children, as the nation flags off activities to commemorate National Children’s Day.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Honourable Minister emphasized the importance of the day as a moment of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to child protection and welfare. She noted that the global observance of Children’s Day originated from the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child and was further strengthened by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria ratified.
In Nigeria, Children’s Day, declared a national observance in the 1960s, has evolved into a strategic platform for policy engagement and public awareness on children's issues. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs coordinates the celebration nationally, while State Ministries of Women Affairs manage it at the sub-national levels in partnership with various stakeholders, including development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, religious institutions, and the media.
This year’s theme, “Speak Up, Stand Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” draws attention to the growing threat of bullying in its physical, emotional, cyber, and institutional forms. The Minister described bullying as a serious barrier to children’s development, education, and mental well-being, adding that it contradicts the nation’s constitutional guarantees of dignity and liberty.
The Honourable Minister cited legal frameworks such as the Child Rights Act and the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, which mandate child protection in schools. However, she decried persistent incidents of bullying, highlighting heartbreaking cases in recent years and emphasizing that urgent measures are needed to safeguard learning environments.
She commended the Federal Ministry of Education for launching the National Anti-Bullying Policy and stressed the need for its full implementation. She also expressed concern about other child protection challenges, including trafficking, forced labour, child marriage, abuse, and abandonment—vices that remain unacceptable.
Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of children through national and international engagements, including the First Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia and the Pathfinder African Regional Meeting hosted in Abuja.
To reinforce these commitments, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is actively:
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Rolling out National Guidelines on Alternative Care;
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Reviewing the National Child Policy and the Child Rights Act;
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Developing a National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management;
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Re-establishing the Child Protection Knowledge Hub and Data Centre;
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Finalizing a national Child Protection Service Structure;
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Launching Revised National Crèche Guidelines;
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Promoting extended maternity and paternity leave;
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Strengthening adoption regulations;
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Enhancing the Nigeria Children’s Parliament as a platform for child participation and leadership.
The Ministry’s comprehensive approach includes legislative reforms, inter-ministerial collaboration through the Safe Schools Initiative, and enforcement of existing cybercrime laws.
As part of this year’s celebration, the following activities have been planned:
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A nationwide march-past and rally by school children in Abuja;
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A Children’s Day Showcase at the State House Banquet Hall in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UBEC, and AGILE;
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A Special Children’s Day Party;
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Commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The Minister urged all sectors—parents, educators, faith institutions, communities, media, and children themselves—to actively play their roles in ending bullying. She encouraged parents to nurture with wisdom, teachers to uphold safety, and the media to continue spotlighting both challenges and progress in child protection.
She called for greater collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure child protection efforts are harmonized into impactful policies and programs.
In closing, the Honourable Minister expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu for their commitment to children’s rights, and also acknowledged the support of State Governors, the National and State Assemblies, development partners, civil society, the private sector, and the media.
She concluded by urging the media to continue amplifying cases of child abuse, bullying, and violence to ensure a safer and more inclusive Nigeria for all children.
Long live the Nigerian child.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
ADEOLA KUNLE
