Founder and Executive Director of Boys Aid Network, Adeola Adigun, tells DARE AKOGUN why Nigeria must pay greater attention to the boy child, the organisation’s anti-crime initiatives, and the impact of the International Boys’ Day Conference
What informed the establishment of Boys Aid Network and its focus on the boy child?
My passion for boy-child advocacy began during my National Youth Service Corps in a small town in Edo State. I saw many boys growing up without guidance, purpose, or support, and I could also see the consequences in the rising cases of crime, violence, and other social challenges.
It made me realise that many of the problems we complain about in men often begin in boyhood. While girls have rightly received more intentional support over the years, many boys have simply been expected to figure life out on their own.
I believe we cannot keep expecting better outcomes from men if we neglect boys. That conviction led me to establish Boys Aid Network (formerly known as Boy-King International) in 2020, with a vision to ensure that boys receive the mentorship, care, and opportunities they need to live wholesome lives and become responsible men who contribute positively to their families and society.
