The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for deliberate mentoring and guidance for boys to enable them measure up with their female counterparts in academics, character development and life skills.
Dr Sanwo-Olu made the remark at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) four-day residential workshop held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme “Re-orientating the Boy Child to Become an Ambassador of Societal Change.”
She explained that the initiative was established in response to growing concerns that many boys are not receiving adequate emotional support, mentorship and value orientation required to thrive in today’s complex social environment.
According to her, while significant attention has rightly been given to empowering the girl-child, there is an equally urgent need to intentionally guide boys so they can grow into responsible, confident and purpose-driven adults.
The First Lady noted that the Lagos Boy Child Initiative seeks to provide safe spaces for mentorship, life coaching and exposure to positive role models, adding that such interventions would help boys develop resilience, discipline and emotional intelligence necessary for leadership and nation building.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, encouraged the participants to strive for balance by combining education with talent development, stressing that discipline and determination remain essential ingredients for success.
He urged the boys to remain open with parents and guardians, particularly when dealing with fears, peer pressure or difficult decisions.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, reminded the boys that emotional expression is natural and advised them to seek help when necessary. She cautioned against cultism, gang involvement and other negative influences, emphasising that responsible choices shape future opportunities.
Other Permanent Secretaries also addressed the participants, reinforcing messages on leadership, discipline, emotional wellbeing and career development, while urging the boys to uphold good values and avoid behaviours capable of limiting their potential.
Participants described the workshop as impactful, noting that they gained valuable lessons on responsibility, teamwork and personal growth.
The programme concluded with an educational tour of a food manufacturing company in Ikeja to expose the boys to practical career pathways and workplace experiences.