The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has said teaching boys how to cook is not about redefining masculinity but equipping them with practical life skills that prepare them for adulthood, family responsibilities and career opportunities.
She made the remarks on Monday during the prize-giving ceremony of the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Cooking Competition held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Ikeja.
According to the First Lady, the initiative is designed to move beyond traditional classroom education by exposing young boys to skills that promote independence, creativity and responsibility.
She said cooking is a valuable life skill that enables young people to care for themselves, support their families and explore opportunities within Nigeria’s growing hospitality and tourism industry.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the competition, which featured boys aged 13 to 17 from public and private schools, military and faith-based institutions, orphanages and correctional facilities across Lagos, was created to challenge the belief that cooking is solely a woman’s responsibility.
She noted that the programme also aims to encourage participants to consider careers in hospitality, culinary arts and related industries, describing the sector as one with enormous employment and entrepreneurial potential.
The First Lady added that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly its focus on youth empowerment and social inclusion.
She stressed that many young people will eventually live independently, pursue education abroad or work away from home, making self-reliance an essential life skill.
Addressing cultural perceptions, Sanwo-Olu said domestic responsibilities should be shared among family members, adding that teaching boys to cook makes them more responsible and better prepared for adulthood rather than diminishing their masculinity.
She also explained that the shopping vouchers presented to the winners were intended to teach budgeting, planning and financial responsibility.
To further inspire participants, the ceremony was held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, where the boys toured the hotel’s commercial kitchen, interacted with professional chefs and gained first-hand exposure to careers in the hospitality industry.
District II emerged overall winner of the competition with 47 points, while District IV and District VI finished second and third respectively. Members of the winning teams received shopping vouchers, while team leaders were awarded fully sponsored three-week Continental Culinary Arts courses at the Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that the winners would represent the Lagos Boy Child Initiative at the Akwaaba African Travel Market Jollof Cooking Competition scheduled for September 13.
She encouraged the participants to view their awards as the beginning of greater opportunities and urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence.
The Lagos Boy Child Initiative, launched in 2021, promotes the welfare and development of boys through mentorship, advocacy, life-skills training and empowerment programmes.