President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the dignity and future of every Nigerian child, revealing plans to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to address child-related issues in a unified and strategic manner.
The announcement was made on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He stressed, however, that legal provisions alone are not enough.
“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws and the systems that enforce them that make the difference,” he said.
To that end, Tinubu said his administration is taking action through preventive measures and early interventions.
“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households,” he stated.
“But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability.”
He emphasized that real progress lies in sustained and deliberate efforts:
“The real hope lies in action — concrete, deliberate action,” Tinubu said. “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.”
He reaffirmed the administration’s focus on providing safe and nurturing environments for all children:
“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,” he said.
The president added that efforts are underway to make schools safer and more supportive.
“We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum,” Tinubu noted. “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.”
