For over two hours on Friday, May 15, 2026, the usual rhythm of life at Igbobi College Yaba (ICY), Lagos, took on a different tone as students gathered for conversations centred not merely on academics, but on the future of their lives as young men.

Inside the school hall, over 600 participants — ICY students, educators and PTA executives — engaged in a lively and reflective session as guest speakers addressed issues many young people quietly struggle with: peer pressure, discipline, emotional growth, respect, leadership, and the everyday habits that shape character.

It was the 2026 commemoration of the World Day of the Boy Child (WDBC), also known as International Boys’ Day, organised by the ICY Parents-Teachers Association (ICY-PTA) in collaboration with the Initiative for Social Impact and Sustainable Development (ISISD).

From the moment when the opening prayer was said by The Revd. Olajide Semako, Vice Principal Administration, the gathering carried a reflective tone. Beneath the formal programme structure was a deeper intention — to guide boys towards responsible adulthood in a world increasingly shaped by pressure, distractions and competing definitions of masculinity.

Anchored on the 2026 theme, “Boys to Men: Adopting Good Habits and Attitudes,” the event became a thoughtful engagement on values, mentorship and discipline as foundations for the next generation.

In his welcome address, the Principal of Igbobi College Yaba, Ven. Joseph Adediji, challenged the students to embrace discipline, integrity and purpose as the pillars of successful adulthood. His message deliberately shifted focus away from achievement alone to character — the unseen habits and values that quietly shape life outcomes long before success becomes visible.

Representing the PTA Chairman, the PTA Vice Chairman, Mr. Oluwatoyin Adekoya, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting initiatives that shape students beyond academic performance. According to him, raising boys today requires more than classroom instruction. It demands mentorship, emotional guidance, and continuous conversations around values, responsibility and positive conduct.

That message came alive during the interactive session facilitated by Mrs. Wunmi Izuagie, with contributions from Mr. Adeleke Adefuwa, both parent-facilitators of the event.

Speaking through relatable examples and practical insights, they encouraged the students to cultivate habits of respect, responsibility and self-discipline while making thoughtful decisions about friendships, conduct and leadership. Again and again, the boys were reminded that the future is shaped quietly through daily habits and consistent personal choices.

During the question-and-answer session, several students asked thoughtful and confident questions about peer pressure, personal conduct and leadership — reflecting both curiosity and a genuine desire for direction.

One of the notable moments of the event came when the President of Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA), Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, alongside members of the Pastoral Committee of the ICY Board of Governors, who were on a tour of the school, joined the session and briefly interacted with the students.

For many of the boys, the interaction with the distinguished Board of Governors member became a memorable reminder that the institution’s legacy extends far beyond academics. It reflected a tradition of excellence, honour and generational pride — one that has produced accomplished alumni who continue to contribute meaningfully to ICY and the society at large.

The programme concluded with the cutting of the commemorative cake, group photographs and closing prayers delivered by the Vice Principal Academics, Ven. Enoch Oyenuga. The celebration later included the sharing of the cake in the dinning hall in a lighter atmosphere after the reflective sessions earlier in the day.

About the World Day of the Boy Child

Observed annually on May 16, the World Day of the Boy Child (WDBC) was established in 2018 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh of the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. The Day was aimed to spotlight the emotional, social and developmental needs of boys.

As Jerome Teelucksingh once stated, “Boys need guidance, understanding and positive role models if they are to grow into responsible men who contribute meaningfully to society.”

For Igbobi College Yaba, the observance has grown into a significant annual engagement since the school first formally commemorated the World Day of the Boy Child in 2022 through the ICY-PTA collaboration with ISISD, a leading implementing partner of WDBC in Nigeria.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the ICY-PTA collaboration with ISISD continues to reinforce the WDBC vision and core principles championed by Jerome Teelucksingh — educating, empowering and mentoring boys, addressing discrimination against boys, promoting positive values and healthy minds, and ultimately raising boys into responsible men.

By Sanmi Falobi, Guest Writer/Executive Editor, Social Devt News