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By Lukman Olabiyi
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged boys across the state to embrace discipline and explore careers in the military and other security services as pathways to leadership and national service.
She gave the charge during an exposition tour organised under the 2026 edition of the Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI), a programme of the Office of the First Lady.
The tour exposed selected boys from secondary schools across the state to life and career opportunities at the Command Day Secondary School, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, and the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Apapa.
At the Ikeja Cantonment, Mrs Sanwo-Olu was represented by Falilat Obasa, wife of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Now in its fourth edition, the LBCI aims to expand educational opportunities and raise a generation of responsible male children who will contribute meaningfully to society.
More than 500 boys drawn from public and private schools, correctional facilities, and other backgrounds are participating in this year’s programme.
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Addressing the participants, the First Lady observed that interest in military and security careers among Lagos youths remains lower than expected, attributing the trend to limited exposure and inadequate knowledge of opportunities within the sector.
She explained that the tour was designed to provide first-hand insight into the operations of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Armed Forces, encouraging the boys to make informed career decisions at a critical stage of their lives.
“These experiences will not just serve as an excursion to these young boys but will instead be precursors into possible futures. It is important for our boys to understand that this stage of their lives is a critical time for making informed career choices, especially in the security sector,” she said.
She commended the Nigerian Army for partnering with the state government to implement the initiative.
In his remarks, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Brigadier-General Ayokunle Owolabi, described the LBCI as a noble platform for shaping young minds and steering them away from negative influences. He urged the boys to remain disciplined and focused in pursuit of their ambitions.
Owolabi cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) as examples of leaders who emerged from the military through discipline and service.
“This is a life-changing initiative. The Nigerian Army is not just about uniform; it is about honour, leadership, selfless service and standing firm. There’s no better service than serving humanity and your country. The discipline and training acquired in the Nigerian Army prepare one for higher positions in the future. The Army builds leaders. Your background should not limit you; your determination should elevate you. Nigeria is counting on you,” he said.
