Education stakeholders are calling for stronger action from schools and parents across Nigeria following a viral video showing students of Igbinedion Senior Secondary School in Benin, Edo State, assaulting junior colleagues, reigniting debate over the state of student safety in the country.

Experts push for national anti-bullying policy

Joseph Ayodele, director of the African Principals Conference Initiative (APCI), commended the school’s swift response but said every institution in the country must go further.

He called on all schools to adopt and implement the 2025 National Anti-Bullying Policy.

“APCI and the Federal Ministry of Education expect every school in the federation to domesticate this policy, ensuring that parents and students can clearly predict the responsive actions of school management regarding violence and bullying,” Ayodele said.

He added that APCI is planning a national tour and a student talent hunt competition across all state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the Third National Week of Action Against Bullying and Violence in Schools.

The 2026 National Anti-Bullying Debate will examine whether restorative justice approaches outperform traditional punitive measures such as suspension and expulsion in securing Nigerian schools.

Ayodele also urged institutions to move away from expulsion as a first response, advocating instead for alternative dispute resolution and specialized training in student well-being.

Parents blamed for rising school violence

Ayopo Somefun, Zonal Coordinator of the Parent Teacher Association of Unity Colleges in the Southwest, placed much of the blame on parents.

“When I saw the video of the Benin incident, I felt bad. It is the fault of the parents majorly,” he said. “Bullying is inherent in most schools. It is a product of poor upbringing.”

Somefun called on schools to create safe reporting channels for victims and to shield students who speak out from further harassment.

He also urged institutions to expand CCTV coverage, noting that many bullying incidents occur in areas where cameras are absent.

Police open investigation

The Edo State Police Command confirmed it has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident without waiting for formal complaints from victims’ parents.

Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika directed the Divisional Police Officer for the area to proceed to the school and begin a detailed inquiry.

“The perpetrators involved in the bullying incident will be arrested and made to face the law accordingly, in line with their respective ages,” the command said in a statement.

The school had already expelled the students identified as the main culprits before the police inquiry began.

The Edo State Ministry of Education also constituted a five-member panel to review the incident.