There is something truly remarkable about a young boy who discovers he can do more than what is expected of him. A young man who can confidently care for himself is better equipped to care for others and navigate life anywhere in the world.
  
Those were the words of the wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, during the Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) 2026 Prize Giving Day held recently at the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja.
  
LBCI was launched in October 2021 by the wife of the governor in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S + Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to address the welfare and interests of the boy child from age 9-17 from the five administrative divisions of Lagos State: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.
  
According to the lady, who is popularly called ‘Mama Boys of Lagos State’, in her keynote speech while addressing the focal points of the LBCI, she said, “a lot of emphasis has been on the girl child and it is imperative to balance it. We need to make sure that the boy child is equally responsible like the girl child. This is because the girls are going to meet the boys, they’re going to get married to the boys, they’re going to work with boys, so it’s important that we bring up our boys too and raise them properly for the safety of the family, society and the country.
  
“It’s important that we invest a lot in our boys. There’s a lot that has been going on in the country. And I feel that if we pay more attention to our boys, there will be a lot of reduction in banditry, terrorism etc.

So now that the government is paying more attention, I think we should ‘catch them young’ as much as possible. Not only should they be engaged in the social media aspect, but use their hands to do something valuable. So they end up being entrepreneurs, employers of labour etc. Although we’re not able to do the whole of the boys in Nigeria, the few that we can do are going to act as examples, mentors and counsellors to other boys in their various communities.”
  
Mrs Sanwo-Olu who revealed that the boys had earlier been in a camp where they learnt diverse skills including cooking competition stated the objectives of LBCI as follows:
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Raise Awareness – Highlight the challenges faced by boys and provide workable solutions.
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Promote Education – Support educational opportunities for male children especially those from indigent backgrounds.
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Rehabilitation – facilitate rehabilitation through structural referral systems for vulnerable boys.
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Transformation – build a new generation of transformed boys, who give back to the society.
  
Speaking to the categories of boys selected for the initiative the First Lady said: “We’re taking boys from the public, the private, the orphanages, the correctional facilities. Like I said, boys will always be boys. And it’s amazing the amount of talent, the IQ of these children that I’ve been able to interact with during the camp. I realised that our boys are wonderful. All they need is to be informed properly.

When the children are properly informed they do better, this is why the slogan of the LBCI is ‘Better Informed, We Do Best’.
  
She continued: “During the camp, we trained and introduced our boys to provision, planning and thoughtful leadership within the family and the society. Greater opportunities await boys who remain disciplined. Integrity and character is very important as every other academic acquisition becomes zero without integrity and character.”
  
On why cooking was included in the programme for the boys, the First Lady said: “Lagos is undergoing an exciting transformation for tourism, hospitality, entertainment and culture. Hotel resorts, restaurants, catering businesses require well trained persons so why not start to see where their skills lie? We recognise that every young person deserves an opportunity to recognise his or her potential.
  
“More importantly, we need to rid the outdated stereotype about domestic responsibility being a core role of girls. This is what this initiative represents and today we are celebrating a new wave of young boys who are learning a new way of thinking. Last year, during the event, the cooking competition was introduced to expose the boys to culinary skills and ignite their passion for hospitality. Let them know that cooking is not only for women. Also let them know that their skill set is also as important as being an A plus student.”
  
Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who noted the importance of education and skill learning going hand in hand during the prize giving which featured top winners of the cooking competition who were given shopping vouchers categorically, said: “We are going to send the top winners to the culinary hospitality schools. So they learn the things that they’re supposed to know concerning hospitality, culinary, food and hygiene in order to invest themselves more. This is why we are partnering with Akwaaba African Travel Market as this platform will give the boys the opportunity to compete on a global stage.”
  
The Convener, Akwaaba African Travel Market Ambassador Ikechi Uko who was the special guest said: “The top winners will join the professional chefs at the 2026 Akwaaba travel Market billed to commence on September 13 at the Eko Hotel, to participate in the JollofRice war.”
  
The event, which was in partnership with Akwaaba African Travel Market, Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, SPA Market and Prince Ebeano Supermarket, was attended by prominent people from all walks of life including Commissioner, Ministry of Youths Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogundele; Commissioner, Basic Education, Jamiu Tolani Ali-Balogun; Chairman, Committee on Youths, Sports and Social Development, LAHA, Orekoya Abiodun Abimbola, among others. The parents and guardians of the children were also at the event.