The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said teaching boys how to cook is not about challenging masculinity but preparing them to become responsible, self-reliant men capable of building successful careers, supporting their families and taking advantage of opportunities in Nigeria’s expanding hospitality industry.

Speaking on Monday at the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Cooking Competition Prize-Giving ceremony held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Dr Sanwo-Olu said the programme represents a deliberate shift from traditional classroom learning to practical life skills that equip boys for an increasingly 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.

“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,” she said.

The event marked the climax of the cooking competition held during the 2026 Lagos Boy Child Initiative Residential Camp, which brought together boys aged between 13 and 17 from public and private schools, military and faith-based institutions, orphanages and correctional facilities across the five administrative divisions of Lagos.

The competition was designed to dispel the notion that cooking is exclusively a woman’s responsibility while preparing participants for realities such as living independently, studying abroad, working away from home or supporting families where both spouses pursue careers.

Sanwo-Olu recalled that the cooking competition was introduced during last year’s residential workshop in Agbowa as one of the practical components of the initiative.

“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,” she said.

The First Lady said the programme aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly its focus on youth development and social inclusion.

“This competition is one of the many ways through which we are investing in our boys, not only academically but also by equipping them with life skills that will prepare them for a rapidly changing world,” she said.

Projecting Lagos as Africa’s hospitality capital, the First Lady said the state’s growing tourism industry would increasingly require skilled professionals across hotels, restaurants, event management, catering and other hospitality services.

“Hotels, resorts, restaurants, event centres, cruise operations, catering businesses and international hospitality brands will require well-trained, disciplined and creative human resources.

“Some of the young boys seated here today could become tomorrow’s celebrated chefs, hospitality managers, food entrepreneurs, culinary educators or owners of internationally recognised restaurant brands. We must therefore begin to prepare them now,” she added

She maintained that cooking is an indispensable survival skill irrespective of career choice.

“The reality of today’s world is that many young people will pursue higher education, careers or business opportunities far away from home and, in many cases, outside Nigeria.

“At such moments, self-reliance becomes invaluable. A young man who can confidently care for himself is better equipped to navigate life with dignity, confidence and independence,” she said.

In one of the strongest moments of her speech, Sanwo-Olu challenged cultural stereotypes surrounding domestic responsibilities.

“Caring for the home should never be viewed as the exclusive responsibility of women. Every member of the family has a role to play in creating a happy, healthy and supportive home environment.

“When our boys learn to cook, they are not becoming less masculine; they are becoming more responsible, more compassionate and better prepared for life,” Dr Sanwo-Olu said.

She added that the shopping vouchers presented to the winners were intended to teach budgeting and responsible financial habits rather than simply reward performance.

“These vouchers are not merely prizes; they are lessons in responsibility. They introduce our boys to the mindset of provision, planning and thoughtful leadership within the family.

“We want them to appreciate that responsible men contribute meaningfully to the welfare of their households,” she added.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the Lagos Marriott Hotel was deliberately selected for the ceremony to immerse participants in a professional hospitality environment.

“Today, they will interact with an environment where culinary excellence is practised daily. They will see professional chefs, many of them men, creating exceptional dining experiences for guests from different parts of the world.

“We hope this exposure will broaden their aspirations and inspire some of them to pursue rewarding careers within this thriving industry,” she said.

The competition produced winners from three educational districts across the state.

District II emerged overall champion with 47 points, earning each of its 10 team members shopping vouchers worth N100,000 redeemable at Prince Ebeano Supermarket.

District IV placed second with 39 points, with each of its 11 members receiving N80,000 shopping vouchers redeemable at SPAR Market Nigeria Limited, while District VI finished third on 38 points, with each of its 11 contestants awarded N50,000 shopping vouchers redeemable at Justrite Superstores.

Beyond the shopping vouchers, the leaders of the three winning teams received a fully sponsored three-week Continental Culinary Arts Course at the Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School in Lagos valued at N2.475m, including accommodation and feeding.

The First Lady also announced that the winners would represent the initiative at the prestigious Jollof Cooking Competition organised by Akwaaba African Travel Market on September 13, providing them with an opportunity to compete alongside established culinary talents and engage hospitality professionals.

She urged the winners to regard the awards as the beginning rather than the pinnacle of their journey.

“Today’s prizes are not the destination; they are simply a reminder that greater opportunities await those who remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence,” she said.

Earlier, the winners were treated to an exclusive fine-dining experience with the First Lady at Wakame Restaurant inside the Lagos Marriott Hotel before touring the restaurant’s commercial kitchen, where they interacted with professional chefs specialising in Asian cuisine and received first-hand exposure to international culinary operations.

The competition was adjudicated by a panel of professional culinary experts, who assessed participants on presentation and creativity, hygiene, teamwork, communication and time management.

Beyond cooking, the residential camp exposed participants to sessions on leadership, etiquette, resilience, vocational skills, self-esteem, mental health awareness, drug abuse prevention and sexual and gender-based violence.

The boys also visited the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, the Base Services Group, the Aircraft Maintenance Depot and the Department of State Services to encourage interest in careers within Nigeria’s security institutions.

The event was attended by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Sports and Social Development, Abimbola Orekoya, as well as parents, hospitality stakeholders and development partners.

Launched by the First Lady in October 2021, the Lagos Boy Child Initiative was established to promote the welfare and development of boys through mentorship, advocacy, life-skills training and programmes designed to improve their social, emotional and economic outcomes.

Its partners for this year’s prize-giving ceremony included SPAR Market Nigeria Limited, Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Akwaaba African Travel Market, Lagos Marriott Hotel, Lagos Rice Mill, Ibile Oil and Gas and the Lagos State Fire Service.