Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures

Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures

By: Michael Mike

Fresh concerns over the safety of schoolchildren in Nigeria have emerged following allegations of violence and bullying at Igbinedion Education Centre, prompting strong condemnation from ActionAid Nigeria, which warned of a deepening crisis in the country’s child protection system.

The organisation described the incident as a serious breach of children’s rights, saying it exposes widespread institutional weaknesses that allow abuse to persist within school environments.

Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the case reflects more than isolated misconduct, pointing instead to systemic failures in monitoring, reporting, and accountability across the education sector.

He stressed that every child is entitled to protection from violence, in line with provisions of the Child Rights Act, warning that when abuse goes undetected or unresolved, it signals a breakdown in the duty of care expected from schools and relevant authorities.

According to him, the incident highlights the inability of existing safeguarding systems to identify early warning signs or prevent escalation, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in schools.

ActionAid noted that the situation at the school is only a reflection of a broader, largely hidden problem of bullying and school-related gender-based violence across Nigeria. It said many cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, and the absence of trusted channels for victims to seek help.

The organisation also expressed concern over the circulation of videos linked to the incident, reportedly shared by students, describing it as evidence of failing internal reporting systems and a growing reliance on social media as a last resort for exposing abuse.

It criticised what it called a reactive approach to child protection, where authorities often respond only after incidents gain public attention, rather than through proactive monitoring and enforcement.

Calling for urgent reforms, ActionAid urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other regulatory bodies, including the Universal Basic Education Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, to strengthen implementation of safeguarding policies and establish effective reporting and tracking systems across schools.

The group also called on schools to introduce confidential reporting mechanisms, enforce strict disciplinary measures, and provide continuous training for staff on child protection, conflict management, and trauma-informed care.

Law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, were urged to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution of offenders, while parents were encouraged to support their children in speaking out against abuse.

ActionAid warned that unless urgent and coordinated steps are taken, cases of school-based violence could continue to escalate, putting the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian children at serious risk.

Outrage as ActionAid Raises Alarm Over School Bullying, Child Protection Failures