Anna Hussaini Pai Calls for Urgent Investment in Boys at 2nd Empower the Boy-Child Summit

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Yargote Foundation holds her 2nd “Empower the Boy Child Summit” themed “If We Keep Ignoring Boys, We Fail Tomorrow’s Men.”

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Yargote Foundation, Anna Hussaini Pai, has urged Nigerians to urgently address what she described as a growing national crisis—the neglect of the boy-child.

While delivering her address at the 2nd Empower the Boy-Child Summit, she explained that millions of Nigerian boys risk becoming “an endangered species” if immediate action is not taken.

Pai said Nigeria is currently experiencing a “polycrisis” driven by insecurity, poverty, substance abuse, collapsing institutions, and the widespread closure of schools, especially in northern states. According to her, while both genders are affected by school closures, boys are more exposed to recruitment by criminals, drug rings, gangs, and violent groups.

Citing data from UNICEF and UBEC, she noted that 7.4 million Nigerian boys are out of school, while 78% of boys aged 7–14 cannot read or perform basic arithmetic. Only 3–4% of out-of-school boys have foundational learning skills, a situation she described as a ticking time bomb for the country’s future.

“These are not just statistics; these are warning signs,” she said. “A boy without guidance becomes a man without direction, and society pays the highest price.”

Anna further explained that while significant progress has been made in empowering the girl-child—a development she described as necessary and commendable—little attention has been given to preparing boys to match that growth. The resulting imbalance, she warned, is affecting homes, relationships, and society at large.

“What happens when an empowered girl meets an unprepared boy?” she asked. “Strong girls deserve emotionally healthy, responsible, confident boys beside them—not in competition, but in partnership.”

She highlighted the emotional burden carried by men and boys, noting that societal expectations force them to “endure too much,” leaving many with unaddressed trauma that later manifests as violence, drug abuse, depression, crime, or family breakdown.

Pai said the Yargote Foundation has taken bold steps in 2025 to address these challenges. The organization began the year with 47 boys and is graduating 32 after six months of intensive training on soft skills, mentorship, and basic hard skills.

According to her, key activities carried out in 2025 include a seminar on self-discovery and emotional intelligence for 300 male students at the FCT College of Education, Zuba; a 3km awareness walk on May 16 to highlight the challenges of the boy-child; a family funfair promoting father-child bonding and teamwork; a tree-planting campaign that taught boys discipline, responsibility, sustainability, and ownership; and a six-month skills-development programme covering self-discovery, patriotism, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, mentorship, and clothes beading.

Pai also unveiled the foundation’s plans for the next phase, which include establishing Empower the Boy-Child Clubs in selected FCT schools, setting up a safe space and resource centre for boys, and expanding the initiative to other states.

She appealed to government institutions, parents, corporate bodies, traditional leaders, security agencies, and civil society groups to collaborate in addressing the growing challenges facing boys.

“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,” she said.

She concluded with a prayer for peace, healing, and restoration across Nigeria.

The keynote speaker, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, also explained that in all the states in Nigeria, only two have more girls than boys. According to him, males are 50.2 while females are 49.8.

He noted that men in society now fear women’s independence. As a society, schools and parents neglecting the boy-child have a lot of consequences. Boys are to be focused on as well.

In addition, Murtala Aliyu stressed how the girl-child is elevated, prepared, and trained for marriage. Females are now in important positions, increasing in wealth, power, and influence, while the males are degrading. He urged parents, schools, and the society at large to make time for the boy-child as well.

To support the foundation’s progress, the attendees at the event donated to the cause of the Yargote Foundation.

The panelists discussed how society has more boys dropping out of school than girls to move into the streets. Girls are willing to study and read more than boys. Boys are also in need of counseling, guidance, and a lot of grooming in order to shape them into great minds.

“Some boys don’t have anyone to speak with, guide them, and advise them; that is why you see most of them in the midst of Boko Haram. That’s the consequence of neglecting a boy-child,” said Baba Sajo.

Also at the summit, parents shared testimonies of how the Yargote Foundation has reshaped the lives of their sons, bringing peace of mind to several families.

Yargote Foundation is a youth-focused NGO committed to empowering children, particularly the boy-child, through mentorship, life-skills training, emotional-wellness programmes, and community engagement.

The foundation works to address the often-overlooked challenges boys face, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. Through initiatives such as empowerment workshops, environmental-hygiene campaigns, and awareness walks, Yargote Foundation promotes positive development, healthy masculinity, and active participation in community life, with the goal of raising boys who grow into responsible and productive adults.

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