From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Marking the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child, themed “Building Self-esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen,” Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has urged families, schools, faith institutions, and policymakers to pay close attention to the development and emotional well-being of the boy child.
In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, the minister reiterated the urgent need to balance national focus, which has historically prioritized the girl child, by addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by boys.
“For too long, national programming and advocacy have rightly focused on addressing the historic marginalization of the girl-child,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim said. “However, unintentionally, this has overlooked the unique vulnerabilities of the boy-child, creating a silent crisis where boys are left without adequate emotional support, mentorship, or protection.”
She painted a vivid picture of the boy child’s reality across Nigeria: “Today, as the sun rises across our great Nation, Nigeria; 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 turn our hearts and focus to the boy-child; often seen, yet not always heard; always expected to be strong, but rarely given the room to simply be whole.”
She described the International Day of the Boy Child not merely as a calendar event, but as a “call to see our boys, to hear them, to raise them with purpose and tenderness, courage and care.” She reiterated the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs’ commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,, to inclusive development starting at the family and community level.
“As the National Mechanism for the advancement of Women, Children, Families and other vulnerable groups in the country, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs bears the sacred duty to ensure that no child is forgotten or forsaken in our national journey,” she said.
She highlighted ongoing programmes aimed at family cohesion and community empowerment, stating, “Through our programmes on family cohesion and community empowerment, we are sowing seeds in the soil of all 774 Local Government Areas. These seeds are for the boy-child who dreams beneath a leaking roof. For the boy silenced by the fear of ridicule. For the boy told that real men do not cry. In this transformative journey, we are here to rewrite that story.”
The minister speaking directly to Nigerian boys said: “Stand up. Be proud. Learn. Lead. Respect. Dream. You are not invisible; you are not disposable; you are not just a number or a stereotype. You are the beating heart of a nation that cannot afford to lose you.”
She urged society to end harmful cultural norms that silence boys’ emotions and promote toxic masculinity. “We must end the culture of silence that teaches boys to lock away their fears, to weaponize their strength, or to shrink their sensitivity. We must raise boys who know that they do not have to choose between power and peace; they can be both strong and kind.”
Suliaman Ibrahim called on all sectors of society to play their part: “To the homes across our beloved nation; your living rooms are shaping tomorrow’s leaders. To our schools; let your classrooms teach both knowledge and character. To our spiritual and cultural leaders; use your platforms to shape not just beliefs, but behaviour. To our lawmakers and partners; the boy-child deserves more than rhetoric. He deserves policies. Budgets. Protection. Mentorship. Opportunity.”
She concluded with a powerful vision for the future: “We are not raising boys to dominate. We are raising them to transform. Transform their families. Their communities. Their country. And above all, themselves.”
“Happy International Day of the Boy Child, Nigeria. May every boy be seen. May every voice be heard. And may we never again build a nation that leaves its sons behind.”