Children’s Day 2025: President Tinubu reaffirms commitment to safer schools

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for Nigerian children, marking this year’s Children’s Day with a strong call to action against bullying and violence in schools.

In a message delivered on Tuesday to commemorate the 2025 National Children’s Day, President Tinubu highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to protect children’s rights and ensure access to education for all, regardless of background.

“We have introduced a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools and developed comprehensive Guidelines for School Administrators,” the president announced. “These steps are part of broader measures to build a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence or is left behind.”

According to the president, the federal government has embedded social-emotional learning and child safeguarding into teacher training programs nationwide. These reforms, he said, aim to equip educators with the tools to support students emotionally while preventing abuse, bullying, and neglect.

President Tinubu also highlighted efforts through the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, which is tasked with creating inclusive learning pathways for children often excluded from mainstream education.

“This commission is helping us ensure that every child—whether in urban or rural areas, from privileged or underprivileged backgrounds—has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed,” he stated.

The president’s message came against the backdrop of alarming statistics showing that up to 65% of school-age children in Nigeria have experienced some form of physical or emotional aggression.

“This is unacceptable,” he said. “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well, and a child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”