Cooking prepares Lagos boys for careers and family life, says First Lady

Teaching boys to cook is essential for preparing them to be responsible, self-reliant individuals capable of building successful careers and supporting families, according to Lagos State First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. She emphasized that this initiative does not challenge masculinity but rather equips boys with vital life skills for a competitive world.

“

There is something truly remarkable about a young boy who discovers that his hands can do more than write examinations or operate digital devices. They can also prepare meals, create opportunities, build careers and bring joy to others.

Speaking at the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Cooking Competition Prize-Giving ceremony, Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted a deliberate shift from traditional education to practical skills. "There is something truly remarkable about a young boy who discovers that his hands can do more than write examinations or operate digital devices. They can also prepare meals, create opportunities, build careers and bring joy to others," she stated. The event celebrated a new perspective where responsibility, creativity, and excellence are not bound by gender.

The competition, held as part of the Lagos Boy Child Initiative Residential Camp, involved boys aged 13 to 17 from diverse backgrounds across Lagos. It aimed to dismantle the notion that cooking is solely a woman's duty, preparing participants for realities like independent living, studying abroad, or supporting families where both partners work. The initiative also seeks to ignite passion for the hospitality industry, recognizing cooking as a respected profession with potential for wealth creation and global opportunities.

“

Today, we are not simply celebrating winners of a cooking competition. We are celebrating a new way of thinking, a generation of young boys who are learning that responsibility, creativity, self-reliance and excellence have no gender.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu noted that the program aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly its focus on youth development and social inclusion. She projected Lagos as Africa’s hospitality capital, emphasizing the growing need for skilled professionals in the state's expanding tourism sector, including hotels, restaurants, event management, and catering services.

“

Our objective was simple but profound: to expose our boys to culinary skills, ignite their passion for the hospitality industry and help them appreciate that cooking is not merely a domestic activity but a respected profession capable of creating wealth, employment and global opportunities.