Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and a professor of psychiatry and clinical psychology at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUT), Professor Olurotimi Coker, have raised an alarm over the rising cases of mental health issues among boys.
They noted this on Tuesday at the ongoing three-day 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Workshop at Lagos State Model College, Agbowa-Ikosi, in Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
Coker, who stressed the growing mental health crisis among boys and the need for early intervention, cited World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics which revealed that 14 per cent of adolescents worldwide experience mental health issues, with suicide ranking among the leading causes of death for those aged 15 to 29.
He, therefore, urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to recognize the signs of emotional distress in boys and provide them with the necessary support.
He explained that if a child suddenly isolates himself, loses interest in things he once loved, or becomes overly aggressive, these could be signs of depression.
According to Coker, mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are increasingly affecting young boys, yet they are often overlooked due to societal expectations that they must always be strong.
He noted that many boys suffer in silence because they are afraid of being judged, stressing that it is crucial to teach them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Adolescents, he explained, face pressure from school, society, and even social media. Without proper support, they can fall into risky behaviours such as drug abuse, violence, or even suicide.
The professor also spoke about the role of school environments in shaping boys’ mental well-being and called for increased access to counselling services in schools.
Delivering her welcome address, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of grooming well-rounded boys who will grow into responsible men.
She explained that the Lagos Boy Child Initiative was created to bridge the gap in attention given to boys’ development compared to girls, ensuring they receive the mentorship and guidance needed to thrive.
The First Lady highlighted that the theme of this year’s workshop, “Empowering the Boy Child to Be a Well-Rounded Individual for the Future,” reminds society that boys face unique challenges, from peer pressure and cultism to mental health struggles and substance abuse. She noted that as a society, there must be intentional efforts to raise strong, confident, and emotionally intelligent boys.
She urged parents to take an active role in their children’s emotional and moral upbringing, stressing that fathers must serve as role models and mentors, while mothers must nurture their sons with wisdom and understanding.
The First Lady also outlined key areas essential for the development of boys, including education and skills development, character and moral values, mental and emotional well-being, and leadership and responsibility.
She encouraged boys to embrace learning beyond academics by acquiring technological and vocational skills while also instilling in them honesty, integrity, discipline, and respect for others. She further stressed the importance of teaching boys to express themselves and seek help when needed, as well as preparing them to be responsible members of society who respect women and stand for what is right.
She also announced that this year’s workshop hosted 200 boys from public and private schools, faith-based institutions, military schools, orphanages, and correctional facilities across Lagos.
Another key event of the day was a panel session that explored “Community Stakeholders and Their Roles in Enhancing Education in Host Communities.”
The panel featured Abowa of Agbowa Land, Oba Momson Saheed Owolabi; Chief Imam of Agbowa, Alhaji Abdulraheem Ademola Olatunji; Ven. Idowu Ajayi, Vicar, All Saints Anglican Church, Agbowa; Ikorodu Divisional Commissioner, Scout Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ezekiel Shomefun; and the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Agbowa.
The discussion focused on how traditional rulers, religious leaders, and educational institutions can work together to improve learning environments, encourage positive behaviour, and prevent school dropouts.
Oba Momson Saheed Owolabi stressed that education is not just about what happens in the classroom but also about the community’s involvement in raising disciplined and responsible children. Religious leaders on the panel also spoke about the role of faith in character development, urging boys to cultivate self-discipline and integrity.
Following the lectures and panel session, participants embarked on an educational tour of the Imota Rice Mill, one of Nigeria’s largest rice processing facilities.
Many of the boys expressed excitement about the experience, saying it opened their eyes to career opportunities in agriculture.
With one day left in the three-day workshop, participants described the experience as eye-opening and inspiring. From learning about mental health and self-care to interacting with esteemed leaders and exploring real-world industries, the boys gained valuable knowledge that would shape their future decisions.
The workshop continues tomorrow with sessions on drug abuse prevention, self-esteem building, and personal hygiene, alongside sporting activities and a cooking competition aimed at breaking gender stereotypes.
