Former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has raised concerns about what he described as the growing neglect of the boy child in Nigeria, warning that the trend could pose serious risks to the country’s future if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking at the AfriCultural Fashion Show and Awards organised by the Global Awareness for Development Initiatives in Abuja, the former governor of Osun State said Nigerian society has gradually overlooked the needs of young boys despite expecting them to grow into responsible leaders and citizens.
According to him, the boy child in many communities grows up under difficult conditions, often without the emotional support, educational opportunities and social guidance needed to build a stable future.
Aregbesola explained that this imbalance has created a troubling contradiction in society, where boys are expected to become strong men while many lack the foundation required to succeed.
He said the problem is particularly visible among children from economically disadvantaged households.
In such homes, boys frequently assume responsibilities far beyond their age, sometimes abandoning school in order to contribute to family income.
“The boy child floats and sinks in a society that has largely failed him but still expects him to be patriotic, disciplined and responsible,” Aregbesola told participants at the event.
The former minister noted that the scale of the challenge is already visible across the country, especially in urban centres and rural communities where many young boys spend their days struggling to survive on the streets.
He cited estimates showing that Nigeria currently has about 20 million children who are not attending school.
A significant proportion of these children are boys who roam communities looking for ways to support themselves and their families.
In many Nigerian cities, these children can be seen hawking goods in traffic, cleaning vehicle windshields, carrying loads in markets or begging for small change.
Aregbesola warned that leaving such a large population of young people without education or direction could lead to serious social consequences.
He explained that when the boy child grows up without guidance, the likelihood of falling into negative influences increases.
Without opportunities for learning and self-development, some may drift toward criminal activity, substance abuse or irregular migration in search of better prospects abroad.
Aregbesola therefore urged Nigerians to demand stronger commitment from government authorities toward ensuring access to quality education for every child.
He described education as one of the most important investments a nation can make if it hopes to achieve long-term stability and development.
According to him, a functional education system can provide the knowledge, discipline and skills necessary to transform young people into productive members of society.
The former Osun governor argued that basic education should be completely free and accessible, extending from the elementary level to pre-degree studies.
He also stressed that tertiary education should remain affordable so that children from low-income backgrounds are not excluded from higher learning.
Reflecting on his period in office in Osun State, Aregbesola highlighted several policies his administration introduced to widen educational access and improve youth development.
One of the most prominent initiatives was the provision of free schooling for public school students across the state.
The programme was complemented by a feeding scheme that provided daily meals for about 150,000 elementary school pupils.
He said the school feeding initiative not only helped improve children’s nutrition but also encouraged parents to keep their children in school.
In addition, his administration distributed school uniforms to thousands of students and invested in the construction of large, modern school buildings capable of accommodating thousands of learners at once.
The infrastructure programme was aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving the quality of learning environments.
Aregbesola also spoke about efforts to address youth unemployment during his tenure through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme.
The programme created work opportunities for thousands of unemployed young people, helping them gain experience while contributing to community development projects.
He further explained that schools in the state established character-building clubs designed to promote discipline, courage and integrity among students.
According to him, these clubs were meant to shape the attitudes and values of young Nigerians while preparing them for leadership roles in the future.
For Aregbesola, the fate of the boy child is closely tied to the overall progress of Nigerian society.
He stressed that ignoring the challenges faced by young boys today could lead to deeper social and economic problems tomorrow.
“If the boy child in Nigeria has no future worth living for, then no other citizen can truly expect a better future,” he said.
The former minister concluded by calling on Nigerians, community leaders and policymakers to work together to create a society built on social justice, fairness and human dignity.
He emphasized that both boys and girls must be given equal opportunities to thrive, adding that national development depends on investing in the potential of every child.
Aregbesola urged stakeholders across government, civil society and the private sector to prioritize policies that support education, mentorship and economic opportunities for young people.
According to him, ensuring a stable future for the boy child is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic necessity for Nigeria’s long-term growth and social stability.
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