President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s resolve to safeguard the dignity and future of Nigerian children, announcing that plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency.
The agency will coordinate all matters affecting children in a focused and unified manner.
Tinubu made this known 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 at the event.
He stated that his government is already taking tangible steps to uphold the rights and welfare of children.
“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 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,” Tinubu said.
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He noted that the government is working to strengthen families and communities through various programmes.
“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,” he added.
Highlighting the need for deliberate actions rather than rhetoric, the president stressed the importance of embedding child protection into broader national systems.
“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 said.
Tinubu emphasized that every Nigerian child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to thrive.
“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.
“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,” he said.
