Maden Healthcare Foundation partners Nigeria Medical Student’s Association on developing the Boy-Child,

By David Adanu

The Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, NiMSA, in conjunction with the Maden Healthcare Foundation MHF, has convened a national virtual panel that draw educators, child-rights advocates, psychologists, parents and young people from across Nigeria, to commemorate the 2025 International Boy-Child Day.

This move according to a communique jointly issued by MHF and NiMSA, is in pursuant of ensuring the sustainable push for developing the Boy-Child,

It also revealed that, following the Virtual Panel Discussion; themed: “Raising Resilient Voices – Empowering the Boy Child for a Confident Tomorrow”, the dialogue centred on four critical themes, namely;

* Mental Health & Self-Esteem in Boys

* The Power of Positive Role Models and Mentors

* Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen – Encouraging Leadership & Voice and.

* Digital-Age Dilemmas: Social Media, Body Image & Boys.

The communique which was jointly e-signed Dr Eseoghene Agbatutu, Founder/Executive Director, Maden Healthcare Foundation and Mr Sardauna Ahmadu Delmi, 48th National President, Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, disclosed that key observations adduced were;

* The rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm were escalating mental health burden among Nigerian boys yet access to boy-friendly mental-health services remains limited.

* It was equally observed that Role-Model Gap were absent as many boys lack consistent exposure to positive male figures who demonstrate empathy, respect and emotional literacy.

* Cultural norms that equate masculinity with stoicism inhibit boys from expressing vulnerability or seeking help has resulted in silenced voices.

And lastly, unfiltered social-media content drives unrealistic body ideals, cyberbullying and addictive screen time, all of which erode self-esteem had created room for digital pressures.

As part of its resolutions and commitments, the conveners resolved thus; “We, the undersigned organisations, resolve to: 1. Create an information brief (8-10 pages) summarising the day’s insights and practical btAsips for parents, teachers, and health workers.

“Pilot one monthly virtual “Boys & Wellbeing” drop-in session (60 minutes, Zoom) where boys can ask questions anonymously and hear from a psychologist or medical student mentor.

The conveners also resolved to produce two short social-media reels (s90 seconds each) on:

* “How to spot stress in boys”
* “Healthy screen habits”

The conveners equally resolved to draft a one-page advocacy note requesting the Federal Ministry of Education to include boy-friendly counselling corners in the next School Health Policy review.

The groups also resolved to, convene this panel again next May (International Day of the Boy Child 2026) to assess progress, share lessons, and set new goals.

As part of the resolutions is the need to host an annual Boys’ Leadership Forum every May to amplify boys’ voices and showcase youth-led solutions

As part of its calls to action, both conveners resolved to approach the Government on the need to allocate dedicated mental-health budget lines for child and adolescent services in the 2026 health appropriation bill.

The conveners also resolved that there is the need for schools to implement safe-reporting mechanisms for bullying and provide at least one trained counsellor per 500 students.

On Civil Society and Media reportage, MHF and NiMSA requested for an amplification of positive stories of compassionate masculinity and disrupt harmful stereotypes.

Lastly, both organizations urged parents and guardians: to engage in open, judgement-free conversations around emotions, consent, and digital citizenship.

In conclusion, Maden Healthcare Foundation (MHF) and the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA) affirmed their shared responsibility to nurture a generation of Nigerian boys who are mentally healthy, positively mentored and empowered to stand up, be heard, and be seen.

It called upon all stakeholders, via a web invite, to partner with them in translating these resolutions into measurable impact.