Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen.Mohammed Marwa, has linked bullying to other social risks, warning that early exposure to bullying could push young people towards substance abuse.
Marwa noted this at a just concluded stakeholders’ consultative dialogue on anti-bullying in Nigerian schools, organised by International Alert Nigeria at the weekend in Abuja.
Marwa represented by Counselling and Psychosocial Support Unit, NDLEA, Mrs Henrietta HoldGod, said young people persistently bullied were more likely to experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal.
Similarly, the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, described bullying as a violation of human rights that should be addressed through collective responsibility.
Bello represented by Director at NAPTIP, Rebecca Enwusoyere, called for zero-tolerance policies in schools, stronger parental guidance, and community-driven advocacy.
Also, Research Fellow, International Education and Development,Open University, UK, Dr Margaret Ebubedike, said bullying intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and now posed serious risks to students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Ebubedike said the impact extends beyond individual students, affecting families and the broader education system.
Bullying, she warned, disrupts academic engagement, undermines mental health, and erodes safe learning environments.
Also, a behavioural change communication expert, Ms Ayotola Ilori, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the growing challenge of bullying in Nigerian schools.
According to Ilori, 32 per cent of Nigerians aged 12 to 17 have experienced bullying, while 85 percent are either victims, perpetrators, or both.
“These figures show that bullying is a widespread issue that requires urgent and collective action,” she noted.
Ilori acknowledged efforts by the Federal Government for introducing the 2025 National Anti-Bullying Policy, describing it as a significant step
Also, the Country Director International Alert, Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Udo, said the initiative was driven by growing concerns over recent bullying incidents, including a widely discussed case in Edo state.
Udo, represented by Programme Manager, International Alert Nigeria, Mr Sunday Jimoh, said the goal was to move beyond awareness and develop concrete policy actions that address bullying early.
Udo said the dialogue convened experts to examine what has already been done by governments, schools, and other key stakeholders.
He said at the end of the event, a communiqué would be developed as well as a concept note with a clear advocacy to guide engagement with policymakers.
He said Nigeria already passed an anti-bullying bill in 2025 however, the extent of its implementation remained a key issue.
