The Boys’ and Girls' Brigade
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ABOUT
Boys’ Brigade (BB)
The Boys’ Brigade (BB) of Lagos Presbyterian Church, Yaba, currently recognized as the 8th Mainland Company, is a highly active Christian youth organization dedicated to mentoring young men and women. It has a long-standing history of driving youth ministry, discipline, and leadership development within Lagos State.
The core directive of the Boys’ Brigade is: “The advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.”
Yaba company was the first in Lagos State to admit girls into the program, this mission is applied dynamically to foster true Christian character across both genders).
Boys’ Brigade
""Sure & Steadfast""
Boys' Brigade Organisation
The foundation of the organization relies on two distinct pillars:
The Word of God (Christian Faith): Focused on leading youth to Christ through Bible study, active church relationship, and spiritual mentoring under the guidance of the company Chaplain.
Christian Service (Useful Living): Focused on character transformation, teaching practical accountability, and creating responsible, service-oriented citizens who contribute to their community.
The Boys’ Brigade uses uniform structures, military-style drills, and specialized badges to systematically train and develop youth in four primary areas:
- Spiritual Growth: Nurturing personal faith, moral integrity, and regular Christian worship.
- Physical Development: Fostering health, physical fitness, coordination, and teamwork through drills and games.
- Social Engagement: Teaching community responsibility, leadership skills, peer respect, and voluntary community outreach.
- Educational Advancement: Building intellect, practical survival skills, creativity, and self-reliance.
Advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.
Membership
In The Boys’ Brigade, young members are divided into four distinct age sections. This structural division ensures that activities, leadership training, and spiritual mentorship are perfectly tailored to a child’s specific developmental stage.
To become a member of the 8th Mainland Company at Lagos Presbyterian Church, Yaba, the process is straightforward and open to children, teenagers, and adult volunteers. Unlike many traditional units in Nigeria that are strictly male-only, the Yaba company is explicitly open to both boys and girls.
- Anchor Boys (Ages 5 – 8): The Focus is fun, basic discipline, and an introduction to faith. As the youngest members, Anchor Boys are introduced to the Brigade through simple games, basic crafts, and foundational Bible stories. They wear a distinct light blue shirt paired with navy blue shorts and a navy blue beret.
- Junior Section (Ages 8 – 11): The focus is teamwork, badge achievements, and building habits. In this stage, children transition into more organized training. They begin exploring the “Achievement Scheme,” earning badges for developing new skills, improving physical fitness, and understanding community responsibility. They are also introduced to basic, age-appropriate marching drills.
- Company Section (Ages 12 – 15): The focus is advanced drills, specialized skills, and deep character development. This is the core operational unit of the Brigade. Boys and girls in this section are given real responsibilities and are organized into sub-groups called “Squads,” led by a peer Squad Leader. Their training intensifies to include military-style drills, first aid, outdoor camping, and music or band performance. Their uniform is transitioned to a sharper uniform featuring a dark navy blue shirt, white short trousers, a white haversack bag, and a formal Field Service Cap.
- Senior Section (Ages 16 – 19): Is focused on leadership, independence, and adulthood transition. Recognised as the bridge to adulthood, Seniors are expected to take on major leadership roles within the church company, often helping officers command and mentor the younger Company and Junior sections. Their programs focus heavily on self-reliance, vocational skills, community project leadership, and serious spiritual identity. They wear the elite configuration of the uniform: a long-sleeved navy blue shirt, full-length white trousers, a white haversack, a Brigade belt, and the Field Service Cap.
Girls Brigade
Traditionally, the Boys’ Brigade (BB) globally and nationally was founded strictly as a ministry for young men. However, the Yaba parish broke the mold to create an inclusive environment.
The Yaba company holds the historic distinction of being the very first Boys’ Brigade company in Lagos State to introduce girls into its programs. Instead of leaving young girls in the parish without a matching avenue for structured discipline, leadership, and drill commands, the officers integrated them directly into the company’s framework.
Rather than running a completely detached, separate unit under a different national executive, the girls’ program in Yaba operates as a unified force alongside the boys
Girls’ Brigade
"Sure & Steadfast"
Schedule of Activities
The following are regular activities carried out by the Lagos Presbyterian Church Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade:
Annual Enrolment
Official swear-in for new recruits and rededication of active officers and patrons.
Weekly Meetings
"Four Cardinal Points" of the Boys’ Brigade program: Spiritual, Educational, Physical, and Social.
Camping and Outdoor Expeditions
Scheduled holiday camps featuring outdoor survival training, sports, and team building.
Annual State and Battalion Re-Dedication
A unified gathering organized alongside the Lagos State Council for all members across the state for renewal of ministerial vows.
Dates and time for meetings are announced during church meetings.
Upcoming Events
Annual Enrolment
Official swear-in for new recruits and rededication of active officers and patrons.
Camping and Outdoor Expeditions
Scheduled holiday camps featuring outdoor survival training, sports, and team building.
Weekly Meetings: Fridays
Friday Evenings (Bible Study & Christian Education)
Weekly Meetings: Saturdays
Saturday Afternoons (Drills & Physical Training)
More information on events/programs are communicated on the group chat and during church announcements.
GET INVOLVED
Together We Are Stronger
The Boys’ Brigade focuses on advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.