NIGERIA: Lagos State First Lady Rewards Lagos Boy Child Cooking Champions with Training, Vouchers, Fine Dining

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has fulfilled her promise to reward winners of the 2025 Lagos Boy Child Initiative (LBCI) Cooking Competition with professional training, shopping vouchers, and an exclusive fine dining experience.

At a special luncheon held at the Red Restaurant, Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, on Wednesday, the First Lady commended the boys for their outstanding performance and reaffirmed her commitment to creating opportunities for male children in the state.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu stated: “The Lagos Boy Child Initiative was conceived to provide balance in advocacy. While efforts to uplift the girl child have been widespread and commendable, we must also pay equal attention to the boy child, guiding and equipping them to become responsible leaders, professionals, and citizens.”

She explained that the cooking contest had successfully broken gender stereotypes, proving that the kitchen is not exclusively for females and that boys can excel in all fields when given the right platform.

The Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Ali-Balogun, also praised the initiative, noting that the competition highlighted the importance of practical skills alongside academics.

He said: “Developing life skills among students is key to nurturing responsible citizens.”

Chairman of LBCI, Mrs. Scholarstica Adeniyi-Abass, described the competition as a flagship programme, stressing that beyond the prizes, the exposure to fine dining, industry tours, and professional training would leave a lasting impact on the boys.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of shopping vouchers worth ₦100,000, ₦80,000, and ₦50,000 to winners from Ikeja, Lagos, Badagry, and Epe divisions. Leaders of the winning teams will also benefit from a three-week fully sponsored continental culinary course, in partnership with the Dipo Jaji Foundation and Red Dish Chronicles Culinary School.

The students were further taken on an educational tour of Eko Hotels, where they visited the Red Restaurant Kitchen and the Nigerian Restaurant Kitchen, gaining firsthand experience of the

hospitality sector.