President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates Nigerian children on the occasion of the 2026 Children’s Day, assuring the security operatives will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
On the occasion of the commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day Wednesday, May 27, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he celebrated “every Nigerian child”.
President Tinubu said he celebrated especially the child who is excelling in school.
He also stated: “I celebrate the child who is learning a trade.
“I celebrate the child living with disability and still pressing forward with courage.
“I celebrate the child who has lost much but has not lost hope.”
The Nigerian leader also stated: “Today belongs to you. It is a day to celebrate your innocence, your strength, your creativity, your aspirations, and the immeasurable value you bring to our nation.
“You are the pride of our Republic, the custodians of tomorrow’s promise, and the living reminder that we can shape the future of Nigeria by the opportunities we create for our children today.”
Highlighting the theme for this year’s celebration titled: “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child”, Tinubu opined that it “speaks powerfully to the soul of our national conscience.”
The President noted: “It reminds us that the future is not a distant promise; it is already here.
“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.”
Tinubu speaks on children still in kidnappers’ den
Lamenting that some children have been forced into fear in the country in recent years, President Tinubu acknowledged that some parents could not join this year’s celebration because their hearts are set on one prayer: “Bring our children home.”
He declared: “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.
To the families grieving and despondent, your government will not turn your pain into ceremony.”
Rescue operations to bring back children in captivity
Underlining the fact that the security operatives’ ” “delicate task” of rescuing kidnapped innocent children from their homes, schools, and places of worship, Tinubu assured Nigerians: “We will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice.
“I have directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country.”
Strengthening implementation of Safe Schools framework
He further stated: “These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.
“I have also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas.”
According to him, this will include updated school vulnerability mapping, closer coordination between state governments and security commands, rapid response links between schools and local security units, and stronger community-based early warning systems.
The President revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education, working with state governments, is to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework with clear reporting, clear responsibility and clear timelines.
“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.
“We will also improve support for children who have survived abduction, violence and displacement,” said he.
Tinubu explained this process: “Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty.
“A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity.
“I have directed the relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that recovered children receive proper reintegration support, not temporary attention.”
He stated: “Let me also state that protecting children cannot be left solely to the government. Parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth groups, transport unions, local vigilantes and the media all have a role to play. ” “When a community sees strange movement around a school and keeps quiet, a child is placed at risk. ” “When warning signs are ignored, families suffer. When information is shared quickly and responsibly, lives can be saved.”
The Nigerian President said: “This is why we will continue to strengthen the link between communities and security agencies.
“The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred.
“My administration remains committed to a Nigeria where every child can learn safely, grow in good health, eat well, access opportunity and dream without fear.”
Investment in education, health care, nutrition, social protection
President Tinubu disclosed the Nigerian Government is making further investments in several sectors of the economy.
He noted: “We are investing in education, health care, nutrition, social protection, digital skills and safer communities because childhood must not be a privilege reserved for a few. It is the right of every Nigerian child.
“To our children, you matter—your dreams matter; your safety matters.
“Your education matters. Be assured that your future matters to this government and to this nation, and we will safeguard it.[