As Nigeria joins the world to mark the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for renewed focus on the well-being, protection, and mentorship of boys, urging families and institutions to raise them with purpose, tenderness, courage, and care.
The commemoration, themed “Building Self-esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen”, underscores the urgent need to address the often-overlooked challenges boys face.
In a statement issued by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, the Minister stressed the collective responsibility of families, schools, religious institutions, and policymakers to prioritise the development of the boy child.
While acknowledging that previous national efforts have rightly focused on addressing the marginalisation of the girl-child, she noted that this has unintentionally led to the neglect of the unique vulnerabilities facing boys.
“This imbalance has created a silent crisis—one where many boys grow up without emotional support, mentorship, or protection,” Minister Imaan stated.
She described the Day as more than just a date on the calendar, but a call to action. “From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the hills of the North, from the villages of the East to the bustling towns of the West, we must shift our focus to boys—often seen, yet not always heard,” she said.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs' commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in the country’s development journey. She highlighted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Ministry is driving inclusive development rooted in strong families and communities.
She revealed that through programmes promoting family cohesion and community empowerment, the Ministry is planting seeds of hope in all 774 local government areas. “These efforts are for the boy dreaming under a leaking roof, the one silenced by fear, the one told real men don’t cry. We are rewriting that narrative,” she said.
Directly addressing boys across the country, she urged: “Stand up. Be proud. Learn. Lead. Respect. Dream. You are not invisible or disposable. You are not a statistic or stereotype. You are the heart of a nation that cannot afford to lose you.”
Minister Imaan called on every sector of society to support this mission:
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To families: raise tomorrow’s leaders with love and purpose.
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To schools: teach both knowledge and character.
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To religious and cultural leaders: influence both beliefs and behaviours.
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To lawmakers and partners: move beyond rhetoric to real investment—through policies, budgets, and mentorship.
She emphasized the need to break the culture of silence that forces boys to suppress emotion and equate strength with insensitivity. “We must raise boys who know they don’t have to choose between power and peace. They can be both strong and kind,” she declared.
“Let this message echo from town halls to television screens, mosques to cathedrals, playgrounds to parliaments: we are not raising boys to dominate but to transform—transform their families, their communities, their country, and themselves.”
Concluding with a powerful message, the Minister declared:
“This is the vision. This is the charge. This is the moment. This is our Clarion Call under the new mandate of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“Happy International Day of the Boy Child, Nigeria. May every boy be seen, every voice heard, and may we never again build a nation that leaves its sons behind.”
ADEOLA KUNLE
