Abuja: As Nigeria gears up for the 2025 Children's Day celebration, the country's young population is advocating for greater inclusion and protection from child trafficking. The call was made on Monday, ahead of the Children's Day event organized by the Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs in collaboration with Save the Children International (SCI) and other organizations in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme for this year's National Children's Day is 'Stand Up, Speak Up; Building a Bullying-Free Generation'. Progress Friday-Umoh, the Speaker of the National Children's Parliament, highlighted the challenges children face, including poverty, abuse, exploitation, lack of access to education and healthcare, stigma, and social exclusion. She called for collective action to safeguard children's rights and future.
Friday-Umoh emphasized the need for the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools to be implemented across the country, ensuring that safety in learning environments becomes the standard rather than the exception. She also stressed the importance of strengthening child rights advocacy clubs, particularly in underserved and rural areas, to create awareness and nurture young leaders.
Additionally, Safiya Alkali-Ajikolo, a member of the Borno State Children's Parliament, called for more strategies to protect children's rights to education, health, and other basic needs, especially in conflict-affected states.
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing challenges such as child trafficking, forced labor, child marriage, and domestic abuse. She outlined government efforts, including the launch of the National Coastal Action Plan 2025-2030 on Ending Violence Against Children, the rollout of National Guidelines on Alternative Care, and the review of the National Child Policy of 2008 and the Child Rights Act of 2003.
The Minister also mentioned plans to develop the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management and establish various structures and frameworks to streamline efforts related to children's welfare and protection. She called on all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community gatekeepers, to be true guardians of children.
Dr. Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary for the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, and Duncan Harvey, Country Director of SCI, both emphasized the importance of implementing structures to protect children and investing in anti-bullying policies. Harvey highlighted the need for child-led platforms, peer support groups, and safe spaces to encourage children to speak up and support one another.