The Yargote Foundation has renewed calls for urgent national action to address the growing vulnerabilities facing Nigerian boys, warning that the country risks long-term social instability if the boy-child continues to be neglected. This formed the central message at the 2nd Empower the Boy-Child Summit held in Abuja on Thursday 27th November 2025, where educators, security chiefs, traditional leaders, development advocates and youth voices converged to demand balanced gender empowerment.
Founder and CEO of the foundation, Anna Hussaini Pai, said the purpose of the summit was to “continue the conversation about the boy child” and advance nationwide awareness that boys deserve structured support equal to the attention given to girls.
“This is the second summit, and we want to take it much higher and spread the word, to continue to make people come to the realization that the boy child is equally important and should be attended to vis-à-vis the girl child,” Pai said.
Pai emphasised emotional intelligence and safe spaces as key priorities going forward. She said the foundation plans to establish a dedicated environment where boys can freely express themselves, access mentorship, and discover their talents without judgment.
“That space is going to be a unique one because we are taking it from the proactive point of view, where they will be afforded the opportunity to realize their talents,” she added.
In her earlier keynote address at the event, Pai warned that Nigeria is “at a crossroads” as the country faces insecurity, poverty, substance abuse, school closures, fractured values and institutional decay. These multiple crises, she said, place boys at heightened risk of gang recruitment, drug abuse, extremism and crime, especially with 7.4 million boys out of school and 78 per cent of boys aged 7–14 unable to read or solve basic math.
“A boy without guidance becomes a man without direction, and society pays the highest price,” she said. “We are raising a generation of boys who are available to be used but unavailable to be educated.”
The event drew several dignitaries who commended Pai’s efforts. Among them were the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters, AIG. Victor Olaiya, represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Akin Ogundile, psc, ACArb, and Head, Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit, Zone 7; Chairman of the occasion, Professor Tijanni Muhammed Bande GCON ;
Mallam Murtala Aliyu (Mutawallen Gombe); Hon. Zainab Buba Galadima; and other leaders from diverse sectors.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Tijanni Bande, underscored the need for equal attention to both genders in empowerment initiatives. He said a well-groomed boy would not feel threatened even if his wife earns more at home, urging society to restore balance by supporting boys as much as girls.
“National progress is impossible without deliberate support for the boy-child,” Prof. Bande said. “If we do not support the boy-child, if we do not build families, we cannot build communities. If we do not build communities, we cannot build nations.” He praised Pai and the Yargote Foundation for pioneering a “noble and timely” initiative.
CSP Akin Ogundile, representing AIG Victor Olaiya, said the police leadership was delighted to see a platform focused on boys, stressing that many of the challenges they face often go unnoticed, with severe implications for national security.
“With a platform as this that enlightens, guides and empowers young boys, you are contributing directly to shaping responsible, confident and morally upright young men, thereby taking them off the street and reducing crime rate,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Zainab Buba Galadima, a youth activist and former aide to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said boys must be guided into responsible adulthood to secure the stability of families and communities.
“If we keep ignoring boys, we fail tomorrow’s men,” she said, commending Yargote Foundation for mentoring the future generation.
In his keynote message, Mallam Murtala Aliyu (Mutawallen Gombe) thanked the organisers for spotlighting a gender that has long been conditioned to suppress emotions. He said such advocacy creates much-needed opportunities for boys to express themselves and grow into responsible men.
A guest at the event Who spoke to Liberal News added that advocating for boys “completes all that has been done about girl-child and women empowerment,” noting that supporting both genders is essential for a “holistic approach to a better world.” She said
Highlights of the event included choreographic and poetic performances by Yargote boys, who presented reflections on self-discovery, mental health, bullying, respect, discipline, communication and time management among others. The boys spoke about what the boy-child should be and how the foundation has shaped their lives, drawing applause from the audience.
Pai reaffirmed the foundation’s plans to establish Empower the Boy-Child Clubs in schools, expand outreach to more states, and build a safe space and resource centre for boys to receive emotional, mental and academic support.
“When we empower one boy, we empower one family; when we empower one family, we empower one community; and when we empower one community, we empower our nation Nigeria,” Pai said.
The summit ended with a call for parents, policymakers, traditional rulers, security agencies, development partners and corporate bodies to join in rebuilding the foundation for a stable, peaceful and productive Nigeria.
