28/05/2026
*PRESS STATEMENT:*
*2026 Children’s Day* *Celebration:* *NAPPS Nigeria Calls* *for Urgent* *Protection of* *Nigerian Children,* *Teachers, and* *Schools.*
As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating the 2026 Children’s Day, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS Nigeria) extends warm wishes to every Nigerian child and reaffirms its commitment to the protection, education, and holistic development of our children — the future of our great nation.
This year’s Children’s Day celebration comes at a critical moment when insecurity, kidnapping, and abduction of school children and teachers continue to threaten the nation’s educational system and the emotional well-being of families and communities across the country.
NAPPS Nigeria strongly condemns the increasing attacks on schools, learning communities, and innocent citizens by criminal elements.
The persistent kidnapping and abduction of children and teachers remain unacceptable, barbaric, and a direct assault on the constitutional right of every Nigerian child to safe and quality education.
Schools should remain centres of knowledge, hope, innovation, and national development — not zones of fear, terror, and uncertainty.
As an association deeply committed to educational advancement and child protection, NAPPS Nigeria calls on the Federal Government, State Governments, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to urgently strengthen security around schools and communities nationwide.
We therefore demand:
Improved security surveillance and intelligence gathering around schools.
Deployment of adequate security personnel to vulnerable educational communities.
Strengthening and full implementation of the Safe School Initiative across Nigeria.
Prompt rescue of abducted children and teachers wherever such incidents occur.
Stronger collaboration between government, school owners, parents, communities, and security agencies.
Greater investment in child protection policies
