In what many now describe as a turning point for youth development in Nigeria, the BoyCode Conference 2025 lit a beacon of hope for the boy child on June 14, gathering thousands of boys and young men at The Stable, Union Bank Sports Centre, in Surulere, Lagos.

What made this year’s edition remarkable was not just the star-studded lineup of speakers but the raw honesty, emotional depth, and transformative ideas that reimagined what it means to raise boys in today’s world.

Spearheaded by visionary youth advocate Precious Eniayekan, the conference united acclaimed figures such as comedian Ali Baba, music producer ID Cabasa, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Mobolaji Ogunlende, and influential voices like ID Cabasa, John Obidi, Ayo Bankole Akintujoye, David Aliu, Damilare Olusegun Asiri, Eric Gugua, and Babatunde Akin-Moses,

Together, they delivered a powerful message: it’s time to nurture not just the strength of boys, but also their softness.

Changing the Narrative: From Stoicism to Self-Awareness
In her stirring welcome address, Eniayekan emphasised the importance of anchoring African boys in purpose and mentorship.

“The BoyCode Conference isn’t just a gathering; it is a seminal moment in our continent’s story,” she declared.
“We are here because we believe empowered African boys can redefine masculinity, reshape legacy, and lead with empathy and brilliance.”

Her message set the tone for a conference that boldly challenged the conventional script written for young boys, one that often prizes silence over vulnerability and strength over self-awareness.

Ali Baba Urges Boys to “Build a Life of Value”
Veteran comedian Ali Baba offered a no-holds-barred masterclass on personal growth and business ethics. He charged the young men present to take control of their destinies by investing in self-improvement.

“Every boy must become a man,” he declared. “If you fail to be a man, you are less than a man.”

He emphasized the critical tools for success: goals, mentors, health, education, environment, relationships, and continual learning.
Ali Baba also urged the boys to turn every interaction , particularly in business , into a chance for connection.

“Make a friend out of every client,” he said. “That’s how you do better business.”

Mobolaji Ogunlende Advocates Emotional Freedom for Boys
For Mobolaji Ogunlende, it was time to dismantle the dangerous notion that boys should not cry.

In an emotional keynote, the Lagos commissioner addressed how stereotypes and societal pressure push boys into emotional isolation , often leading to mental health struggles and unhealthy life choices.

“A lot of boys are suffering from mental health issues, but we don’t know, because they cannot cry,” Ogunlende said.
“We must teach boys that it’s okay to feel and express emotions. It’s time to challenge the toxic messages about masculinity.”

He called for systemic change through inclusive education, positive role models, and empathetic parenting, stressing that an emotionally aware generation of men will build a more equitable world.

ID Cabasa: “Heal Before You Teach”
The most deeply personal speech may have come from ID Cabasa, who offered a vulnerable reflection on how trauma shapes the way adults raise children.

He revealed his fear of water, rooted in the childhood trauma of watching his cousin drown, and how that fear almost prevented him from letting his own children learn to swim.

“I had to correct myself. I was correcting them based on what I feared, not what was wrong,” he said.

Cabasa redefined ego as a defence mechanism for insecurity, not arrogance. He urged the boys to break free from performance-based masculinity.

He challenged norms that stifle emotional expression in men:

“Where did we learn that men shouldn’t hug themselves?” he asked. “We must learn new ways to love and connect.”

A Blueprint for a New Generation
Speaker after speaker reaffirmed a simple but profound truth: the world needs emotionally intelligent, purpose-driven men, and the path to that future starts with boys being allowed to feel, learn, and grow.

From entrepreneurship to self-mastery, from spiritual growth to emotional healing, the BoyCode Conference 2025 offered not just inspiration, but actionable blueprints for transformation.

As the event closed, Eniayekan reminded the audience of the journey ahead:

“This is more than a conference. It is the beginning of a cultural awakening, a call to raise boys differently so they can lead better.”

Indeed, for the thousands of boys in attendance, BoyCode 2025 may well have been the day their story began to change.