ActionAid Nigeria has called for a renewed focus on the needs of boys, saying the “boys’ child” has been largely overlooked in development and policy discussions despite the critical role boys play in shaping future communities.
The organisation made the call during the commemoration of International Boys’ Day in Zhiko community, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where it partnered with Boys Champions to engage young boys on positive masculinity, consent, respect, and responsible behaviour.
Speaking at the event, Head of Programmes and Policy at ActionAid Nigeria, Celestine Okwudili Odo, said the time had come for policymakers, development partners, and communities to pay greater attention to the welfare, education, protection, and mental health of boys.
According to him, while significant progress has been made in advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls, boys should not be left behind in development interventions.
“The boys’ child has largely been absent from policy conversations. We need to bring boys back into the development agenda and ensure they receive the support needed to become responsible and productive members of society,” Odo said.
He noted that the decision to hold the event in a rural community was deliberate, stressing that children in remote areas are often excluded from programmes designed to improve their well-being and future prospects.
“We chose to celebrate with boys in a rural community because these communities are often forgotten. It is important that development efforts reach children in underserved areas who rarely benefit from such programmes,” he added.
Odo emphasized that engaging boys from an early age on issues such as respect, consent, and responsibility would help foster positive attitudes and reduce harmful behaviours in adulthood.
“We are teaching boys about responsibility, respect, and consent. By catching them young, we are helping them understand positive masculinity and preparing them to become men who contribute positively to their families and communities,” he said.
Also speaking, Executive Director of Boys Champions, Zeenat Adamu, said the organisation was established to create safe spaces where boys and men can openly discuss challenges affecting their lives while promoting healthy expressions of masculinity.
She argued that meaningful progress in addressing gender-based violence requires the active participation of boys and men.
“A lot of boys and men feel neglected because much of the attention has focused on women and girls. We are not trying to compete with those efforts; rather, we want to ensure that boys are also supported and given opportunities to express themselves and address their challenges,” Adamu said.
“If we do not work with boys and men, we cannot effectively address violence against women and girls. We must bring everyone to the table and promote mutual respect, peace, and shared responsibility.”
The Village Head of Zhiko community, Mohammed G. Paspa, commended ActionAid Nigeria and Boys Champions for bringing the initiative to the area, describing it as a valuable intervention for local children.
“This is the first time we are witnessing a programme of this nature in our community. It is enlightening for our children and beneficial for the entire community,” he said.
Paspa, however, appealed for government support to address challenges facing the local school, including inadequate classrooms, insufficient teaching materials, and a shortage of teachers.
The event featured interactive demonstrations and educational sessions designed to help boys better understand consent, respect, healthy relationships, and their role in building violence-free communities.
Organisers said the outreach forms part of a broader campaign that will continue across schools and communities in the FCT, including Zuba and other rural areas, with the aim of promoting positive masculinity and ensuring boys are not left behind in the nation’s development agenda.