Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Adeyeye-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, has reaffirmed her commitment to quality education and technological advancement for Nigerian children, describing them as essential priorities for national development.
Speaking in Abuja during the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child celebration organised by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development (GAIYD) on theme: “Boys’ Mental Health and Wellbeing” in Abuja.
Adeyeye-Ogunwusi called for stronger private sector partnerships to boost investment in Nigeria’s education system and intellectual capital.
The event brought together stakeholders from the private sector, traditional institutions, legal and academic communities, all advocating for a combination of formal and non-formal learning methods to address diverse learning styles and better prepare students for meaningful societal impact.
“I want you all to be assured that investing in quality education for every single Nigerian child remains a top priority for any nation’s development,” she said.
“The classroom is no longer just a physical space; it is now an infinite world of knowledge. The most transformative lessons of our time are not confined to four walls but are happening in the boundless universe of the internet. Therefore, we must give our children the best opportunities to develop their potential—they are the leaders of tomorrow.”
She urged children to make the most of digital learning tools: “Use your tablets to broaden your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and prepare yourselves for the limitless possibilities ahead.”
She underscored the importance of moral upbringing. “The Word of God says and it’s in both the Qur’an and the Bible that if you train up a child in the way he should go, when he grows, he will not depart from it. God’s word cannot be changed—it never lies.”
She challenged parents to reflect on their roles: “If the Word is true, then what went wrong? We must ask ourselves as parents—how have we raised our children?”
She expressed concern over economic pressures and work demands that have caused many parents to delegate the upbringing of their children.
“We are all victims of this. Many of us no longer raise our children ourselves. We leave them to nannies or teachers. We forget that training starts from the womb. From the moment a child is conceived, parents must speak into their lives and pray for them,” she said.
Meanwhile, the founder of GAIYD, Amb. Dr. Hillary Akpua, called for stronger collaboration to ensure equal access to quality education for both boys and girls.
“We want to promote inclusive initiatives for boys that are necessary, encouraged, and even compulsory. It is easier to teach a child than to repair a broken man,” he said. “Parents are responsible for shaping society and must thoughtfully choose who mentors their children.”
Schools that participated in the event’s essay competition, including: GSS Wuse Zone 3, GSS Area 10, GSS Tudun Wada, GDSS Wuse 2, Model Secondary School Maitama, Sam JOSH College Benue, Redeemer’s College, Divine Mercy, Melchizedek School, and Sky Limit International.
Akpua also announced the launch of the ‘One Boy, One Child’ project, which will run for six months, culminating in a final event on November 16, 2025.
“This project has evolved from classroom learning to innovation. My responsibility is to train our young people to become smarter, so that Nigeria itself can become smarter,” he said.
He explained that one boy will be selected from each participating secondary school across the country, including the FCT, as well as from orphanages. These selected participants will then compete at the finale in November.
“The One Boy, One Child project aims to ensure boys grow up with direction and purpose. Too many boys today look to the internet without skills or guidance. If you don’t have a skill, you have nothing. Whether it’s ICT or agricultural technology, we want them to build sustainable career paths,” Akpua concluded.
