Stakeholders have called for increased attention to the challenges confronting the boy-child, saying many boys are growing up under emotional, economic and social pressures with limited support from society.
International Boys’ Day is celebrated annually on May 16 to promote boys’ well-being and recognise their contributions to families and communities.
A parent and boy-child advocate in Niger State, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said that many boys faced negative stereotypes, emotional neglect and poverty.
He added that they also come under pressure to assume provider roles at an early age
According to him, the challenges expose some boys to crime, substance abuse, depression and other harmful lifestyles
“Many people believe boys should always be strong and independent, but they also need guidance, emotional support and opportunities to grow,” he said.
Also speaking, a youth leader in Tafa Local Government Area, Abubakar Ayuba, said societal expectations that discouraged boys from expressing emotions contributed to aggression, mental health issues and social disconnection.
“Many boys are raised to believe that crying is a sign of weakness. As a result, they grow up carrying emotional burdens in silence,” he said.
Ayuba added that economic hardship and peer pressure continued to shape the lives of many boys, forcing some out of school into menial jobs, while others became vulnerable to gangs, substance abuse and criminal activities.
He emphasised the need for balanced conversations around child development, noting that supporting boys did not undermine efforts to empower girls.
According to him, emotionally healthy and morally upright boys are essential to building peaceful families and safer communities.
Meanwhile, some boys shared personal experiences highlighting the realities many young males face.
One of them, 16-year-old Ibrahim Iro, who lost his father at a young age, said he now supports his family through manual labour while struggling to continue his education.
Iro said he dreamt of becoming a pilot but could not afford school fees.
“I want to become a pilot. I want to fly up high but due to lack of money, I may not achieve it.
“My mother sells thrift clothes by the roadside, and I go to construction sites to help builders.
“At the end of the day, they pay me N2,000, sometimes N3,000. But that is not enough to feed the family and pay our school fees.”
He added that his younger siblings now attend home lessons because the family could not afford formal schooling.
“For now, we can only afford home lessons for my two younger siblings. We pay N100 daily for each of them, making it N200 altogether,” he said.
Observers say the experiences of boys like Iro highlight the urgent need for policies and support systems that addressed the welfare, education and mental health needs of vulnerable boys across the country.
