Tinubu remains focused on child welfare amid security threats, says Bagudu

By Progress Godfrey, Abuja

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s children still face a promising future, despite the country’s ongoing security and economic pressures.

Speaking at UNICEF’s World Children’s Day celebration in Abuja on Thursday, Bagudu addressed national concerns following Monday’s abduction of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. He said President Bola Tinubu has prioritised the wellbeing of Nigerian children and remains focused on long-term investments that will shape their development.

Bagudu said, “I want to assure our children that despite the challenge of the moment, a great future lies ahead of them. We want them to be better than all of us,” adding that “Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is an advocate for investment in children and teacher education. He is committed to giving them the maximum support they need to develop.”

He called for a moment of prayer for the abducted students and other children in captivity globally, urging world leaders to treat child abductions as an attack on humanity that demands collective action.

According to him, the President has been deeply disturbed by the Kebbi incident, which forced him to suspend several official engagements to concentrate on the recovery efforts. Bagudu argued that assaults on children should concern every nation, citing the Maga abduction and global cases of violence, including school shootings in the United States.

Addressing the theme, ‘The Future of Nigeria’s Children: Vision, Voices and Action,’ Bagudu appealed to both local and international partners to work together in safeguarding children, strengthening education systems, and expanding investments in child welfare.

He stressed that education must go beyond enrolment figures, with digital tools such as tablets, online libraries, and smartphones becoming essential learning resources provided access is equitable. “Every child should have the opportunity to learn, regardless of where they live or their circumstances,” he said.

On security, Bagudu called for global cooperation, noting that emerging threats require intelligence-sharing, technology, and coordinated support. He pointed to Nigeria’s role in peacekeeping efforts and said new tools like drones could be key in preventing future attacks or swiftly locating missing children.

He remarked that international support should be viewed as partnership rather than weakness: “Support from the global community is not a weakness; it is solidarity.”

Bagudu also highlighted the gains from recent macroeconomic reforms, which he said have increased government revenues across all tiers. He urged leaders to channel these resources into programmes that directly benefit children ranging from school safety to welfare and learning infrastructure.

He therefore e called for a united front in prioritising children’s wellbeing: “We must unite – families, communities, governments, and international partners – to ensure every child is safe, educated, and empowered. This is our collective responsibility.”

He appreciated the UN system for supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms, saying the results are beginning to shape more inclusive growth.

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