African Child Day: Amnesty Tells Tinubu To Protect Nigerian Children

Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to take urgent and decisive action to protect schoolchildren across the country amid growing concerns over attacks on schools and the abduction of children.

The rights organisation made the appeal in a statement shared on its official X account on Tuesday to mark the International Day of the African Child.

Expressing concern over the state of child safety in Nigeria, Amnesty International described empty classroom seats across several states as a painful symbol of children whose education and future have been disrupted by insecurity.

According to the organisation, children in parts of the country should be in classrooms learning and building their future, rather than living in fear or captivity.

“From Kwara to Kogi, Borno, Oyo states and across the country, are empty chairs where children should be learning, playing, and dreaming about their future, not living in fear or captivity,” the organisation

stated.

Amnesty International said the continued attacks on schools and incidents of pupil abductions show that Nigerian children remain vulnerable and require stronger protection measures from authorities.

The organisation expressed solidarity with affected families and stressed that every child deserves access to education in a safe environment.

“Every child is precious. Every child must come home. Every child is our nation’s future,” it added.

Calling on President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities to respond urgently, Amnesty International urged the government to strengthen school security, improve community protection systems and intensify efforts to ensure children held in captivity are safely returned.

“President Tinubu, Nigerian children cannot wait. Take urgent action to bring every child in captivity home,” the organisation said.