Stakeholders have identified early intervention, stronger policy enforcement, and youth empowerment as key to addressing bullying in Nigerian schools. These recommendations emerged from the Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools, organised by International Alert Nigeria in Abuja. Dr Margaret Ebubedike, Senior Research Fellow at the Open University, UK, cited data showing bullying affects between 27 per cent and 50 per cent of children across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria's situation appearing worse—more than half of secondary school students report being bullied. She stressed the need for a collective response involving parents, educators, policymakers, and communities.
Retired Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa, CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), warned that persistent bullying increases risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal, with some victims turning to substance use. His remarks were delivered by Mrs Henrietta HoldGod of NDLEA's Counselling and Psychosocial Support Unit. Binta Bello, Director-General of NAPTIP, represented by Rebecca Enwusoyere, described bullying as a human rights violation and advocated for zero-tolerance policies, stronger parental guidance, and community advocacy. She urged parents to promote empathy and moral values at home and called for awareness campaigns, peer education, and safe reporting systems in schools.
Mrs Augustin Udo, representing the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, affirmed the government's commitment to the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Schools, which provides a framework for accountability and enforcement. Ms Augustina Apakasa, representing the Federal Ministry of Education, confirmed the existence of implementation guidelines and a dedicated committee for nationwide rollout. Behavioural Change Communication expert Ms Ayotola Ilori stated that 32 per cent of Nigerians aged 12 to 17 have experienced bullying, while 85 per cent were either victims, perpetrators, or both. She urged students to speak up and called for nationwide collaboration to extend anti-bullying measures to all 774 local government areas. Dr Kingsley Udo, Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, referenced growing concerns, including a widely discussed case in Edo State, as motivation for the dialogue.
The same government touting a national anti-bullying policy has not addressed the widely discussed case in Edo State that supposedly spurred the initiative. If 85 per cent of young people are involved in bullying as victims or perpetrators, the policy's rollout to all 774 local government areas appears more like a publicity target than a verified plan. Students are being told to speak up, yet there is no confirmation that existing reporting mechanisms work. The gap between policy announcements and verifiable action leaves millions of children exposed to harm.
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