The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has taken a significant step towards finalizing the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools, reinforcing its commitment to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students.
Opening the meeting, Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, emphasized that bullying is not a normal part of school life but a serious issue with long-lasting emotional and psychological effects. She stated, “Bullying is a destructive behavior that can devastate students’ well-being. As a nation, we have a collective responsibility to ensure our schools are safe and supportive.”
The Minister further highlighted the need for a comprehensive policy that addresses all forms of bullying, fostering empathy, compassion, and accountability to ensure students feel supported.
Dr. Ejeh Usman, Director of Polytechnic, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, reiterated the Ministry’s zero-tolerance stance on bullying and emphasized the importance of an enforceable policy to protect students.
Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu delivered the vote of thanks, commending the Honourable Minister and stakeholders for their dedication. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting students affected by bullying and violence, underscoring the need for evidence-based policies.
Consultant Sunny Kulutuye provided an overview of the draft policy, focusing on key areas like learner-to-learner and learner-to-staff interactions and staff responsibilities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to finalizing a robust anti-bullying policy, reinforcing the Ministry’s determination to create a safer educational system for all Nigerian students.
Signed
Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press & PR
