President Bola Tinubu has called on other African leaders to make education system inclusive,safe and anchored on child-sensitive policies.
He gave the charge at the First Regional Meeting of Africa’s Pathfinder Countries under the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children held at Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, 8 May, 2025.
According to President Tinubu, the meeting could not have come at a more appropriate time as it breathes new life into the bold declarations made at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held in Bogotá.
“That moment in our shared history gave rise to a global campaign that has since united us in a singular purpose: to secure the safety, dignity, and future of every child.
“But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability. The real hope lies in action—concrete, deliberate action. Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems. This is the soul of our human capital development strategy,” the President stated.
To achieve this, President Tinubu said, “our education system must be inclusive, safe, and anchored on child-sensitive policies. We must prioritise the training of teachers not only as educators but as protectors—equipped to identify and respond to signs of distress and trauma in their pupils. This can only flourish in tandem with healthcare systems that are rooted in strong, accessible primary health centres and bolstered by investments in maternal and child health programmes.
“Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children. But legislation alone, Tinubu said does not shield the vulnerable—it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference”.
The national strategy, he said also embraces prevention and early intervention.
“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. Our dedicated duty-bearers, beginning with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, are being equipped with the training and resources to champion the cause of child protection across all levels of government.
“This strategy is not without structure. Our Costed National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children offers a clear roadmap—one that outlines concrete steps and measurable targets for prevention, protection, and accountability. Through this, we aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not simply a policy objective; it is a moral obligation.
“As a proud Pathfinding Country, the President said Nigeria’s commitment has only deepened over time. Today, under the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are setting our sights higher. The invaluable commitments made during the 2021 National Policy Dialogue on Ending Violence Against Children continue to guide our efforts. Inspired by the momentum from Bogotá and the leadership seen across our continent, we are expanding the frontiers of possibility.
“We intend to realise this vision through the Renewed Hope Agenda for Children, which includes reaching 10 million families by 2030 with family-strengthening programmes that create safe and supportive homes. We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum. We are rolling out the National Guidelines on Alternative Care to ensure that even children without parental care are raised in love, safety, and stability.
“We are also taking practical steps: launching the Universal Child Grant to reduce household poverty and children’s vulnerability; establishing a National Child Protection Database and a Child Well-being Index to track our progress and uphold accountability. Our commitment includes establishing a dedicated Child Protection and Development Agency to ensure coherent coordination of all issues relating to the Nigerian child.
“But we are not stopping there. We are strengthening existing institutions and laws, and launching national campaigns to promote awareness and drive behavioural change. We are building institutional frameworks that guarantee children’s issues are never again consigned to the periphery of policymaking. These issues will now take centre stage in inter-ministerial collaboration, in policy innovation, and in budgetary priorities, through dedicated grant mechanisms that support this vision.
“This is what it means to be a Pathfinder. The Global Alliance offers us a platform not merely to speak—but to act, to lead, and to inspire,” the President concluded.
