President Bola Tinubu has called on other African leaders to end violence against children and promote child sensitive policies.

Tinubu gave the charge at the first regional meeting of Africa’s Pathfinder Countries under the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children held at the Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The President’s charge delivered by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima signalled a new phase in Nigeria’s bold campaign to eliminate violence against children.

He officially launched the National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria, outlining strategic system-wide reforms aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child could grow in safety and dignity.

President Tinubu says the meeting could not have come at a more appropriate time as it breathes a new lease of life into the bold declarations made at the first global ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held in Bogotá.

According to President Tinubu 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.’ He revealed.

Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi, also delivered a resounding address, reiterating that Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda embeds children’s rights at the heart of national development. She announced a 1,000% budgetary increase in 2024 to empower the Ministry’s child protection initiatives and re-establish the Child Protection Knowledge and Data Centre.

“Violence against children is not just a moral failure it is an economic and security crisis. We must build systems that not only protect but empower,” she affirmed.