Dr Zayyum Loda’am, a neurosurgeon at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, has warned parents and caregivers against hitting children on the head as punishment.
He said the practice could cause serious injuries and impair brain development.
Loda’am gave the warning in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting the dangers of physical punishment, particularly blows to the head.
He said such blows could cause concussions, skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, depending on the force and circumstances of the impact.
The warning comes amid growing concern about physical punishment in homes and schools, where hitting children is sometimes considered an acceptable way to correct behaviour and enforce discipline.
Loda’am called for an end to the practice, urging governments and relevant stakeholders to promote positive, non-violent approaches to discipline and safer ways to correct children’s behaviour.
“Medical guidance also indicates that symptoms of head injuries may not appear immediately. Warning signs include repeated vomiting, worsening headaches, unusual behaviour, confusion, seizures, difficulty walking and loss of consciousness,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.2 billion children aged zero to 18 experience corporal punishment in their homes each year worldwide, highlighting its widespread prevalence.
The WHO says corporal punishment can cause physical injuries, mental health problems, impaired cognitive development and changes in brain structure and function, potentially affecting children’s long-term health and well-being.
There is no scientific evidence that corporal punishment benefits children’s behaviour, development or well-being, reinforcing calls for positive, non-violent approaches to discipline.
