The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for urgent and collective action to protect Nigerian children from abuse, exploitation, and violence, particularly those affected by conflict, poverty, and insecurity.

In a statement to mark the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, observed yearly on June 4, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, emphasised the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to tackle the root causes of child abuse in Nigeria.

“The safety and well-being of children must be a shared national priority,” Ojukwu said. “Millions of Nigerian children face emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Many have been displaced by conflict, especially in the North-East, and are highly vulnerable to exploitation.”

He noted that insecurity in the North-East, particularly due to the Boko Haram insurgency, has severely impacted children’s rights, while the continued sit-at-home orders in the South-East have denied countless children access to education—a fundamental right.

The NHRC boss also decried the dire situation in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, where children are often forced into street begging and left exposed to further risks.

“These children suffer not only physically but also emotionally, and the trauma they endure can have lasting effects on their development and prospects,” he warned.

Despite these challenges, Dr Ojukwu acknowledged progress in child protection efforts. He cited initiatives such as the School Feeding Programme, the Safe School Initiative, and the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) as positive steps toward creating a safer, more supportive environment for children.

However, he urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.