President Bola Tinubu has spoken out strongly against bullying in Nigerian schools, calling it completely unacceptable. In his message to children on National Children’s Day 2025, themed “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” he emphasized that a child who learns or grows up in fear cannot thrive properly.

He shared worrying statistics, noting that worldwide more than one in three children face bullying regularly, and in Nigeria, as many as 65% of school-age kids have experienced some form of physical, emotional, or social abuse. Addressing the children directly, President Tinubu expressed pride in Nigeria’s young generation, calling them the heart of the nation’s future and its next leaders and innovators.

He mentioned his administration’s commitment to protecting Nigerian children and outlined several important policies aimed at their safety and well-being. Tinubu reiterated the government’s duty to safeguard every child’s rights and dreams. He described this year’s theme as perfectly timed to promote a culture where children feel safe, valued, and heard—both offline and online. The President affirmed that violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in modern Nigeria.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, his government is fully focused on child protection, including implementing Nigeria’s National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030). This plan sets out clear steps to prevent abuse, bring perpetrators to justice, and support victims, backed by strong funding and coordination.

The government is also reviewing key laws like the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Act to strengthen protections, close loopholes, and ensure these laws work everywhere. President Tinubu pointed out that the Cybercrime Act is also being used actively to fight cyberbullying and online exploitation of children.