Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo, has called for the establishment of a Ministry for Boys to address the persistent neglect of male children in Nigeria’s development agenda.
Kogo emphasized that boys deserve equal attention and investment as girls, stressing that societal balance and effective leadership are deeply influenced by the upbringing of male children. He made this assertion during the International Day of the Boy Child event, organized by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) in Abuja.
The CCT chairman noted that despite being future leaders and nation-builders, boys lack structured support for their development and rights protection. He pointed out that while women and girls benefit from initiatives like the Beijing Declaration and dedicated ministries, boys remain largely overlooked in policy frameworks.
“If I should advocate for a Ministry for Boys, I wouldn’t want to see someone aged 50, 60, or 70 as the minister for that ministry,” Kogo remarked. “It should be exclusively for boys. Unlike what we see today, where individuals well beyond the age of youth as defined by the NYSC Act still call themselves young men and take up such responsibilities.”
Kogo further highlighted the need for investments in boys’ health, education, and psychological development from birth. He criticized the reluctance of some state governments to domesticate the Child Rights Act, suggesting that governors could amend culturally sensitive sections instead of rejecting the law outright.
“We witness trailer loads of children being transported daily from the northern to the southern parts of the country. This is an area where NAPTIP and relevant government agencies should be more proactive. Governors need to step up,” he stated.
The CCT chairman warned that continued neglect of the boy child could fuel societal issues, including recruitment into violent groups like bandits and Boko Haram. He emphasized that social justice, as outlined in sections 14 through 24 of the Nigerian Constitution, demands action against injustice and discrimination to ensure equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background.
