![Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. [PHOTO CREDIT: Vanguard News]](https://crediblenewsng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/images-30-1.jpeg)
President Bola Tinubu has formally launched Nigeria’s National Action Plan to End Violence Against Children, signaling a renewed national commitment to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The event, which took place in Abuja on Thursday, brought together top government officials, child rights advocates, and international partners to witness the unveiling of the strategy aimed at safeguarding the rights and future of Nigeria’s young population.
In his keynote address, Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for the strict enforcement of the Child Rights Act and other relevant legislation to ensure that every Nigerian child grows up in an environment that promotes their safety, dignity, and well-being.
“No nation can secure its future if it fails to protect its children. The safety and dignity of every child must be non-negotiable,” the president said. “We must move beyond mere policy declarations to real enforcement and accountability.”
The President noted that despite progress made since the Child Rights Act was passed in 2003, violence against children—including sexual abuse, trafficking, child labour, and harmful traditional practices—remains widespread across the country. He called on state governors, law enforcement agencies, social welfare officers, and community leaders to take proactive roles in protecting children within their jurisdictions.
The National Action Plan, developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, UNICEF, and other child-focused organizations, provides a five-year roadmap (2025–2030) for tackling violence against children.
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The plan outlines goals such as improving access to child protection services, enhancing child-friendly legal processes, increasing awareness, and strengthening data collection on child abuse cases.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said the plan would be implemented in phases, with targeted interventions for schools, homes, religious institutions, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where children are most vulnerable.
Representatives of the United Nations and civil society groups praised the Nigerian government’s action, while also urging continuous investment in child education, health care, and psychological support systems to address the root causes of violence.
As part of immediate actions, Tinubu announced the formation of an inter-agency task force on child protection, to monitor implementation and recommend sanctions for non-compliance at federal and state levels.
“This is not just a plan on paper. It is a promise to every Nigerian child that their lives matter,” he said.
The launch marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to fulfill its obligations under international human rights treaties, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
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