By Nkechi Eze
As Nigeria marked the 2025 National Children’s Day, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, delivered a stirring call to action, urging governments, institutions, parents, and communities to recommit to the holistic wellbeing of every Nigerian child. Speaking at a vibrant rally held at the Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja, the Minister declared that the time had come for the country to unite in building a generation free from bullying, fear, and neglect.
“This day is not just about celebration,” the Minister said in her keynote address, “it is a moment of reflection and renewed commitment to protect the rights and welfare of every Nigerian child.” She emphasized the urgency of this year’s theme, “Speak Up, Stand Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” calling it a national rallying cry that must be taken seriously across all levels of society.
“Bullying is not just a school issue; it is a societal problem that breeds fear, isolation, anxiety, and even suicide. We must end it,” she declared. Citing national data and tragic incidents of abuse, the Minister warned that bullying, whether physical, emotional, cyber, or institutional, represents a growing emergency that threatens the future of Nigeria’s youth.
She expressed concern that over 50 percent of adolescents in Nigeria have reported being bullied, while nearly 30 percent admitted to bullying others. “These statistics are not just numbers they are cries for help,” she noted.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also used the occasion to highlight ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She pointed to existing frameworks such as the National Policy on Anti-Bullying and the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools as part of a broader strategy to address child protection challenges in schools and communities. “We must not operate in silos,” she cautioned, “there must be harmony in our efforts.”
Among other initiatives she unveiled were the rollout of national guidelines on alternative care, the review of the 2003 Child Rights Act and the 2008 National Child Policy, and the development of a new policy on menstrual health and hygiene. She also announced the creation of a national Child Protection Knowledge Hub and plans to promote workplace policies that accommodate maternity and paternity leave, as well as a renewed push to empower the Nigerian Children’s Parliament.
Turning to the young audience, the Minister offered words of encouragement and empowerment. “To our children your voice matters. Speak up. Stand tall. Never be afraid to ask for help,” she said, her words met with warm applause. She challenged all adults to become protectors and advocates for children, adding, “We must speak truth, model kindness, and reject harmful norms that perpetuate silence and suffering.”
The Minister also extended heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their continued leadership and compassion. She praised their unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerian children and acknowledged the contributions of state governors, legislators, civil society organizations, and the media.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, applauded the energetic participation of school children, teachers, and parents. “Building a bullying-free generation must continue through the values we inculcate at home, in schools, and within our communities,” she stated. She also quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
The 2025 Children’s Day celebration continues with a special showcase at the State House Banquet Hall and events marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28. The day’s activities served as a resounding reminder that the fight to protect and uplift Nigerian children is far from over but it is a fight that must be won.
