Saving Our Sons: Military Chief Warns of Rising Threats to Nigeria’s Boy Child

Saving Our Sons: Military Chief Warns of Rising Threats to Nigeria’s Boy Child

By Ayshatu S. Rabo

As Nigeria marked the International Day of the Boy Child, a clarion call was made to safeguard the nation’s boys from the growing threat of exploitation by violent groups and societal neglect.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Affairs, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, underscored the urgency of investing in the development and protection of boys across the country.

The event, hosted in Abuja by the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), centered on the theme: “Celebrating Boys: Empowering and Nurturing Our Future Leaders.”

Gen. Musa noted that boys are frequently manipulated by criminal networks and violent actors, often lured by false promises or coerced into joining armed groups.

“These young individuals, he stressed, are frequently robbed of their youth and thrust into cycles of violence and instability.

He warned that in various communities across Nigeria, boys face unique hurdles chief among them being poor access to education.

“Economic hardship, insecurity, and cultural expectations pushing them into early labor are just a few of the barriers that hinder their growth and place them at risk of exploitation.

“Our true national strength lies not only in our military or economy, but in the character and resilience of our people,” he said.

“That strength begins with how we nurture our children especially our boys, who are too often overlooked in discussions about youth development.”

Gen. Musa also pointed out that while efforts to support the girl child are crucial and commendable, the vulnerabilities boys face must not be ignored.

READ ALSO: Images From New Defence HQ to Boost Influence Ops: Enhancing Psychological Operations for Joint Efficiency

He highlighted societal pressures that expect boys to be emotionally distant and overly strong, often damaging their mental health.

He called for robust educational and mentorship initiatives to equip young males with the tools needed to thrive in modern society academically, emotionally, and socially.

This includes training in science, technology, the arts, and vocational skills to prepare them for a productive future.

Also speaking at the event, DEPOWA President Mrs. Oghogho Musa emphasized the need to raise boys with care and intention.

She warned against allowing societal pressures or digital influences to shape boys without proper guidance and support.

“Boys don’t just grow into men—they grow into the kind of men we show them how to be,” she said.

“We must provide them with the space, mentorship, and emotional support needed to grow into responsible, compassionate leaders.”

Mrs. Musa reaffirmed DEPOWA’s commitment to creating safe and empowering spaces for boys within military and police communities, promoting mental health, education, emotional intelligence, and leadership training.

The event served as both a celebration and a call to action urging all sectors of society to invest in the protection, education, and emotional development of Nigeria’s boys, who hold the promise of tomorrow’s leadership.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetum, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Okebechi Agura, emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating boys, noting that this marks a welcome shift from the usual focus on girls.

“For the first time, boys are being celebrated,” he said. “It’s always about women, the girl child—nobody talks about the boy child. So this is a welcome development.”

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Celebrating Boys, Empowering and Nurturing Our Future Leaders’, Agura underlined the vital role of leadership in national development.

“Leadership is what we instill in boys today that will shape the leaders of tomorrow. We cannot expect to have good leaders if they are not properly mentored and guided,” he stated.

Dr. Mekwueye Eric, a resource person and Chief Executive Officer of the Hospitality Business School, also addressed participants. He acknowledged the progress made in empowering the girl child, but warned against neglecting the boy child.

“There is nothing wrong in giving much attention to the girl child,” Dr. Mekwueye said, “but leaving the boy child vulnerable will only lead to a generation of unprepared husbands and leaders.”

He stressed the need for deliberate policies and programs that ensure boys are not left behind in national and international development agendas. According to him, societal expectations often pressure boys to suppress emotions and discourage open expression, which can hinder their development into responsible adults.

Dr. Mekwueye expressed concern over the limited awareness surrounding the significance of this day. He pointed out that while the empowerment of the girl child has gained global momentum, the boy child remains overlooked in areas such as emotional development, mentorship, and leadership training.

“The objective is to inspire and guide the boy child,” he added. “Everywhere they turn, the environment does not support their growth. We must be intentional about raising boys who are bold, objective, respectful, and emotionally aware.”

He concluded by calling on parents, educators, and community leaders to collaborate and provide the necessary support systems to ensure boys grow into responsible, productive members of society.

Saving Our Sons: Military Chief Warns of Rising Threats to Nigeria’s Boy Child