To commemorate 2025 Children’s Day, the Federal Government has disclosed that over 51% of adolescent students in Nigeria are victims of bullying. This alarming statistic highlights the need for urgent attention and action to address this pressing issue.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim made this known during the press briefing on Monday in Abuja to flag off activities to commemorate the 2025 National Children’s Day; a day of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to protect the rights, wellbeing and welfare of every Nigerian child.
“51.9% of adolescent students have reported being victims of bullying, while 27.9% admitted to bullying others, with classrooms accounting for 75% of occurrences.”
The Minister informed that the heartbreaking incidents in recent years have made headlines. ” In 2020, 11-year-old Don Davies was reportedly at School, In 2021, the death of a 12-year-old student due to alleged bullying sparked national outrage, The tragic cases of Karen Akpagar, Yahaya Aliyu, Emotional abuse due to poor feeding at FGC Uyo (November 2024) and the outrageous punishment meted out to learners at various schools that have been brought to light.
“Many other reports of bullying in schools and in learning spaces, unacceptable levels of violence being meted out to children in places they are meant to be safe, including schools and homes are urgent reminders that we must act now!”
In recognition of this, she commend the Federal Ministry of Education for launching the National Policy on Anti-Bullying and its implementation guidelines. We must now move to strict implementation and stamp out bullying from our society.
With Emerging and re-emerging crisis and threats resulting from health pandemics, forced migration, economic disparities, social norms, Nigerian children continue to face grave vulnerabilities, child trafficking, forced labour, child marriage, domestic abuse, ritual killings, and abandonment.
The Minister assures that these vices are unacceptable. “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria has made strong national and international commitments that have formed the Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian Children, where the protection of their welfare and wellbeing is prioritized.
“At the First Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia (Nov 2024), we pledged action across seven priority areas from legislative reform to parent and caregiver support.
At the Pathfinder African Regional Meeting in Abuja on 7 and 8 (May 2025) His Excellency Mr President reaffirmed our dedication to our children’s protection from violence and launched the National Costed Action Plan (2025–2030) on ending violence against children”
The Minister stressed that bullying is not just a school issue; it is a societal problem that demands collective, sustained action as it breeds fear, isolation, anxiety, and in tragic cases, leads to suicide.
She called on parents to please nurture with wisdom, discipline with love, listen with your hearts and lead by example.
“To the teachers; we know that the tasks can be overwhelming, but be guardians of safety, torchbearers of kindness, never turning a blind eye to cruelty in your classrooms or abandon your responsibilities and become perpetrators.
“To our places of worship; make your pulpits sanctuaries of truth, inclusion, and help for the young. To every community and cultural gatekeeper; let not tradition justify trauma.
“To the media; shine your light on both pain and promise. And to our children; your voice matters. Speak up. Stand tall. And never be ashamed or afraid to ask for help.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also called for greater collaboration and coordination in driving the child protection and development efforts.
