Children’s Day: Tinubu orders stronger school protection in high-risk areas

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies and relevant ministries to bolster protection measures for schools situated in high-risk areas across the nation. This directive was issued as part of his message commemorating the 2026 Children’s Day celebration.

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As we mark this special day, which coincides with Eid-el-Kabir, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno should be with their families, but are being held captive by criminals. To those children, their parents, and their teachers, I say this as a father and your President: you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned.

Tinubu acknowledged the difficult circumstances faced by some Nigerian children and their teachers, particularly those recently kidnapped in Oyo and Borno states. He assured them, and their families, that they are not forgotten or abandoned, emphasizing his administration's commitment to their safe return. The President stated that security agencies have been instructed to sustain and intensify intelligence-led rescue operations focused on the safe recovery of abducted children.

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These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.

To strengthen school security, the President ordered updated vulnerability mapping and improved coordination between state governments and security commands. This includes establishing rapid response links between schools and local security units, as well as enhancing community-based early warning systems. The Federal Ministry of Education is tasked with working with state governments to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework, ensuring that schools in vulnerable areas have clear protocols for responding to danger.

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Every school in a vulnerable area must know who to call, what to do, where to move, and how to protect children when danger is identified.

Furthermore, President Tinubu stressed the importance of providing proper rehabilitation and reintegration support for children rescued from abduction and violence. He stated that children returning from traumatic experiences must receive care, medical attention, counseling, education, and dignity. The President also called for collective support from parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups, and the media in protecting children, reaffirming his administration's dedication to improving education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, and community safety for Nigerian children.

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A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity.