Tinubu: Every Nigerian child should grow in a safe environment

President Bola Tinubu says the protection of Nigerian children requires deliberate and sustained action.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.

The event held at the presidential villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Tinubu said the federal government is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child.

He added that plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.

“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.

“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.

“That is why our national strategy 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.

“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.”

Tinubu added that every Nigerian child should grow and learn in a safe environment.

“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.

“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.”