Lagos First Lady Leads 500 Boys on Security Career Tour

​The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has officially kicked off the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Residential Camp with a high-impact educational tour of Nigeria’s premier military and security formations.

​The tour, aimed at demystifying the armed forces and inspiring a new generation of disciplined patriots, took over 500 schoolboys to the Nigerian Army Cantonment (Maryland), the Nigerian Navy base in Apapa, the Nigerian Air Force Logistics Command in Ikeja, and the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Ojo.

​Bridging the Awareness Gap

​Addressing the participants, Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the excursion was a deliberate strategy to shift perceptions. She noted that declining interest in military careers often stems from a lack of exposure.

​”This is about shaping your future. At this critical stage, you must think intentionally about your career paths. The military offers honorable and rewarding opportunities to serve your country,” the First Lady stated.

​She further advocated for “balanced advocacy,” stressing that while much focus is placed on the girl child, the boy child requires equal mentorship and guidance to prevent societal imbalance.

​Discipline: The Bedrock of Success

​At the various formations, top security brass echoed the theme of character building:

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1.Brigadier-General Ayokunle Owolabi (9 Brigade, Nigerian Army): Warned the youth against negative influences, noting that “the uniform is about character and leadership, not just appearance.”

2.Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Suleh (NAF Logistics Command): Encouraged the boys to “dare to dream,” highlighting that early mentorship is the antidote to future societal challenges.

​About the 2026 LBCI Residential Camp

​Now in its fourth edition, the LBCI Residential Camp serves as a four-day intensive mentorship hub. This year’s cohort is uniquely diverse, featuring students from public and private schools alongside boys from correctional centers and underserved communities. The program focuses on:

• ​Leadership Training
• ​Career Guidance
• ​Civic Responsibility
• ​Moral Discipline

​Through this initiative, the Office of the First Lady continues to champion the “Greater Lagos Rising” vision by investing in the social and professional development of the next generation of men.