A neurosurgeon has cautioned parents and caregivers against hitting children on the head as a form of punishment, warning that the practice could cause serious injuries and affect brain development.
Dr Zayyum Loda’am of the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. He said blows to the head could result in concussions, skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, depending on the force and circumstances of the impact.
Loda’am noted that symptoms of head injuries might not appear immediately, urging caregivers to watch for warning signs such as repeated vomiting, worsening headaches, unusual behaviour, confusion, seizures, difficulty walking and loss of consciousness. He called on governments and relevant stakeholders to promote positive, non-violent approaches to disciplining children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 1.2 billion children aged zero to 18 experience corporal punishment in their homes annually worldwide. The organisation warns that the practice can cause physical injuries, mental health problems and impaired cognitive development, with possible long-term effects on children’s well-being.
The report also notes that there is no scientific evidence that corporal punishment benefits children’s behaviour, development or well-being, strengthening calls for safer and non-violent methods of correcting children.
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