Youth Group Renovates Lagos Juvenile Library to Spark Hope

Inside a juvenile correctional center in Lagos, dozens of boys now have a freshly renovated library that could change their futures.

The Bonafide Advocator Initiative (BOFAI) just completed a full renovation of the library at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun. The youth-led nonprofit found a space filled with damaged books, broken furniture, and little reason for the boys to visit.

Founder Oluwatobi Adetona saw the challenge clearly. Low literacy levels and poor motivation kept boys away, even though education is supposed to be central to rehabilitation in Nigerian juvenile facilities.

The renovation team repaired chairs and shelves, fixed the ceiling, added fresh paint, and removed outdated books. But Adetona knew physical changes alone wouldn't be enough.

"It's about making learning engaging, meaningful and achievable for young people who have often been excluded from traditional educational systems," she explained.

The Ripple Effect

The real innovation starts now. BOFAI introduced a reward-based reading model where one boy serves as library captain to help monitor the space while encouraging peers to read regularly.

The team will visit quarterly to engage with the boys and reward participation. Project Lead Oluwatosin Olajubu said they discovered something important during their assessment: "What we found was not a lack of interest in learning, but a system that had not been designed to support it."

This library project connects to BOFAI's larger aftercare approach. The organization, founded in 2019, provides continued mentorship and pathways back into formal education even after boys leave the facility.

The goal is reducing recidivism by supporting successful reintegration into society. When young people have access to education and feel supported, they're far more likely to build positive futures outside correctional walls.

These boys now have more than a renovated room. They have a foundation for rebuilding their lives, one book at a time.