Following Children's Day, the Nigerian president orders stricter security measures at schools.

Written by: Mohammed Omran

While Children's Day is supposed to be an occasion for celebration and ensuring the rights of children, developments in Nigeria have brought the issue of kidnapping students back to the forefront with force, amid escalating fears of continued targeting of schools in a number of states.

Despite government pledges to intensify security operations and expand protection measures, the question remains as to whether these moves can impose a new reality that guarantees the safety of children and restores confidence in the education system.

Extensive security reinforcements and contingency plans to protect schools and recover abductees

Nigerian President Bola Tinubo pledged to intensify national security operations to secure the release of the kidnapped schoolchildren and their teachers, assuring affected families that the government remains fully committed to their safe return.

In his Children's Day address on Wednesday, President Tinobo said that the children and teachers currently held captive in parts of Oyo and Borno states "have not been forgotten," and pledged that security forces would continue coordinated efforts until they are rescued.

Tinobo added: “As we celebrate this special day, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno states should be with their families, but they are being held hostage by criminals. To these children, to their parents, and to their teachers, I say, as your father and president: You are not forgotten, and we will not abandon you.”.

He explained that the government will not reduce the suffering of the affected families to mere formal statements, stressing that security operations will remain driven by intelligence information and focused on safely recovering the kidnapped citizens.

He directed all relevant security agencies to intensify coordinated rescue operations for kidnapped children and other vulnerable groups throughout the country.

He noted that these operations must be intelligence-driven, carefully executed, and focused on safely bringing our children back to us.

Tinobo also announced expanded measures to enhance school security, including updating vulnerability maps of schools in high-risk areas, improving coordination between state governments and security agencies, and faster emergency response systems linking schools to local security units.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education, in cooperation with state authorities, has been directed to strengthen the implementation of the Safe Schools Framework, with clearer reporting structures, defined responsibilities, and strict timelines for response mechanisms.

He stressed that every school in a high-risk area must know who to contact, what to do, where to move, and how to protect children when danger is identified.

He added that the government's efforts will also focus on the rehabilitation and reintegration of rescued victims, noting that recovery from kidnapping must include access to counseling, health care, education, and psychosocial support.

He continued: “A child recovering from trauma must return to medical care and attention, counseling, education and dignity.”.

Tinobo called for a comprehensive approach to child protection, urging parents, community leaders, religious institutions, transport unions, watchdog groups and the media to play active roles in preventing attacks on schools and reporting suspicious activities.

He warned: “When a community notices strange movements around a school and remains silent, it puts the child at risk. Efforts to protect children must begin before any assault occurs, not after.”.

The Nigerian president used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s broader commitment to child welfare, including investments in education, health care, nutrition, social protection and digital skills development.

He added: “Our administration remains committed to Nigeria where every child can learn safely, grow up healthy, eat well, have opportunities, and dream without fear.”.

He stressed that this year’s Children’s Day slogan, “The future is now,” promotes the inclusion of every Nigerian child and is an urgent necessity to protect children’s rights and ensure equal opportunities.

Tinubu assured Nigerian children that their safety and future remain a national priority, saying: “Our children, you matter, your dreams matter, your safety matters, your education matters. Be assured that your future matters to this government and this nation, and we will protect it.”.