Founder of the Odushu Foundation, Mr. Karinate Odushu, has announced a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the developmental, educational and emotional challenges facing boys, a demographic he described as increasingly overlooked in child-focused advocacy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Odushu said the programme reflects growing concern that rigid social expectations around masculinity continue to shape boys’ experiences in ways that undermine their wellbeing and long-term prospects.

“Across cultures, boys are frequently taught to suppress fear, sadness and anxiety and to ‘act like a man’ from an early age. When a society ignores the emotional and developmental needs of its boys, it risks producing men who struggle to find constructive paths in adulthood,” he said.

Odushu emphasised that the initiative is not intended to compete with or diminish progress made in advancing girls’ rights and opportunities. Rather, he said, it seeks to broaden inclusion by recognising that boys and girls may face different barriers requiring tailored responses.

“Supporting boys does not diminish girls,” he said. “Equity means understanding the different challenges each child faces and responding appropriately.”

The foundation’s strategy is structured around four pillars – education, innovation, orientation and scholarship – designed to improve academic engagement, social development and future opportunities for boys, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Under the education pillar, the foundation plans to promote learning approaches that recognise diverse cognitive and behavioural styles among boys. Odushu said many boys disengage from school environments that prioritise prolonged sedentary focus and strict compliance, sometimes leading to disciplinary actions that further alienate them from learning. He said educational programmes, mentorship and practical skills workshops will aim to restore confidence and encourage sustained participation in schooling.

He added: “The innovation pillar will expose participants to emerging fields such as technology, digital entrepreneurship and vocational crafts. By connecting boys with constructive outlets for curiosity and ambition, the foundation hopes to counter feelings of stagnation and low self-worth that often accompany academic struggle.

“Orientation programmes will address the social and psychological dimensions of boyhood, focusing on emotional literacy, conflict resolution and positive models of masculinity that balance strength with empathy and responsibility. The foundation believes early intervention in these areas can reduce tendencies toward aggression, risk-taking behaviour and disengagement from authority structures.

“Scholarship schemes form the fourth pillar and will target boys at risk of dropping out of school due to financial hardship.”

Odushu said economic pressures often intersect with gender expectations, pushing boys prematurely into labour markets or survival activities that interrupt education. He noted that sustained financial support can help break cycles of marginalisation that extend into adulthood.

“Every child deserves the resources and understanding necessary to realise his or her potential. Our vision is inclusion that leaves no child unseen and no future unnecessarily constrained,” he said.