Nigeria's prospects are under threat due to the overlooked plight of young males, warns Aregbesola.

Nigeria's future is at risk if the neglect of the boy child persists, according to former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, who warned that millions of young boys lack the necessary education and support to become responsible citizens.

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Aregbesola, the former governor of Osun State, noted that a concerning gap has emerged, where society expects boys to grow into strong, responsible men, yet many are deprived of the emotional, educational, and economic support required to achieve this goal.

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Speaking in Abuja at the AfriCultural Fashion Show and Awards, organised by the Global Awareness for Development Initiatives, Aregbesola addressed the theme of empowering the African boy child, stating that the boy child is often left to fend for himself in a society that has failed him.

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Aregbesola said, "The boy child floats and sinks in a society that has largely failed him but expects him to be a good citizen, a patriot and a nationalist," highlighting the unrealistic expectations placed on young boys.

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Many boys, particularly those from poor families, are forced to take on excessive responsibilities, leading to a high dropout rate from school as they attempt to support their households, Aregbesola added.

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The scale of the problem is already evident across the country, with approximately twenty million kids out of school, roaming villages, towns, and cities, according to Aregbesola.

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In many cities, young boys can be seen on the streets, struggling to survive by hawking goods, begging for alms, or cleaning car windshields in traffic, Aregbesola observed.

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He warned that leaving large numbers of young people without education or guidance can have severe consequences, including a drift into crime, drug abuse, or migration abroad in search of opportunities.

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Aregbesola urged Nigerians to hold governments accountable for providing free and quality education for every child, emphasizing that education is a crucial investment in a country's future.

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According to Aregbesola, education should be free from the basic level up to pre-degree stages, while university education should remain affordable for the average Nigerian.

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During his time in office, Aregbesola's administration in Osun State introduced programmes aimed at expanding access to education and supporting young people, including free schooling and meals for about 150,000 elementary school pupils.

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Other initiatives included the distribution of school uniforms and the construction of large modern school facilities, as well as youth empowerment programmes such as the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, which created employment opportunities for unemployed youths.

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Aregbesola also highlighted the introduction of character-building clubs in schools, designed to promote discipline, courage, and integrity among students.

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Aregbesola stated, "If the boy child in Nigeria has no future worthy to live in, no other citizen can hope for a better future," emphasizing the importance of securing the future of both boys and girls for the country's long-term development.

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He called on Nigerians to work together to build a society based on social justice and humanism, stressing that the future of both boys and girls is essential to the country's development.