Bullying In Schools: The Silent Crisis Destroying Young Lives

The bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City has once again brought national attention to a problem that has continued to affect students across Nigeria.

The incident, which was captured in a viral video, showed senior students physically attacking a younger student inside the school premises.

The outrage that followed led to the expulsion of the students involved, while the Edo State Government and police launched investigations into the matter.

The disturbing footage sparked conversations about student safety, school discipline, and the growing problem of bullying in Nigerian schools.

While many Nigerians view bullying as a normal part of growing up, experts warn that its consequences can be devastating and long-lasting.

In an interview with Naija News, College Counselor and Designated Safeguarding Lead at BridgeHouse College, Ikoyi, Olugbenga Adelekan, described bullying as one of the most serious challenges facing young people today.

“Bullying is a major problem in our society, not just in schools but also in the workplace,” Adelekan said.

According to him, the effects are particularly severe among school children because of their vulnerability and stage of development.

“The mental health fallout among school children is what makes it more serious because of the vulnerability of the learners. This results in higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and school dropout among victims,” he explained.

He said bullying is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, it often develops from a combination of family influence, peer pressure, social status struggles, and poor supervision.

Adelekan noted that many students bully others to gain power and control.

“Some students bully to gain social rank, especially in secondary schools between senior students and junior ones,” he said.

He added that children who grow up witnessing violence or aggression at home may begin to see such behaviour as normal.

“Students that witness aggression at home or in their community replicate what they have seen adults do. They see this as normal behaviour,” Adelekan said.

The counsellor also pointed to insecurity and low self-esteem as hidden drivers of bullying.

“Bullies generally have low self-esteem and target others to feel in control,” he stated.

Technology has also introduced a new dimension to the problem. While physical bullying remains common in schools, cyberbullying has become increasingly difficult for parents and teachers to detect.

Adelekan identified verbal abuse, social exclusion, physical attacks, and cyberbullying as the most common forms of bullying among students.

“Cyberbullying is rising fast with phone use. It happens on WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. It is harder to detect because it follows students home,” he said.

The impact on victims can be severe. Many students who are bullied begin to struggle academically as fear and anxiety affect their ability to concentrate in class.

“Bullied students miss more school due to fear. They tend to have lower concentration and score lower on tests and examinations. Some eventually drop out of school,” Adelekan said.

Beyond academics, the emotional damage can last for years.

“There is a strong link between bullying, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Even after bullying stops, the effects can linger for many years,” he added.

Adelekan said that schools across Nigeria need to move beyond simply punishing offenders after incidents occur.

“Many schools have rules on paper, but there is no clear reporting system that students can trust,” he said.

He also observed that many institutions lack trained counsellors and safeguarding professionals who can identify and address bullying before it escalates.

“Teachers sometimes miss or ignore low-level bullying,” he noted.

One reason bullying continues unchecked is that victims often remain silent. According to Adelekan, fear is a major barrier to reporting incidents.

“Many students fear retaliation from the bully or their friends. Others believe nothing will be done.”

He added that some students are afraid of being labelled weak by their peers, while others have become so accustomed to bullying that they see it as a normal part of school life.

To address the problem, Adelekan called for stronger preventive measures in schools, including anonymous reporting channels, student-led anti-bullying programmes, regular staff training, parental involvement, and increased supervision in areas where bullying frequently occurs.

“Teachers need to spot subtle bullying, not just physical fights,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of teaching empathy and conflict resolution as part of students’ social development.

For him, the biggest change Nigeria’s education system needs is to make student safety as important as academic performance.

“The priority should be to make school climate and student wellbeing a measured part of school accountability and everyone’s responsibility,” Adelekan said.

He suggested that schools should be required to report bullying cases annually to education authorities and face sanctions for failing to comply with safeguarding regulations.

“Schools are judged mainly on exam results. If they were also judged on student safety and bullying prevention, these issues would be taken more seriously,” he stated.

Adelekan said reducing bullying will require collective action.

“Bullying cannot be totally eradicated, but it can be reduced to the barest minimum if all stakeholders work together to put an end to this danger,” he said.