Former Big Brother Naija housemates Adekunle Olopade and Omololu Shomuyiwa have unveiled a new non-governmental organisation, the Protect The Boy Child Initiative (PTBCI), with a mission to support, mentor and empower boys and young men across Nigeria.
As part of the launch, PTBCI announced the appointment of Omololu Shomuyiwa as its Director of Global Affairs and also premiered its documentary, Close The Gap.
The unveiling marks the beginning of the organisation’s flagship campaign, “2026: The Year of The Man,”which aims to address the growing challenges facing boys and men through advocacy, education and community-based programmes.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Olopade explained that PTBCI was established in response to the growing concerns surrounding the welfare of Nigerian boys, many of whom face issues such as poor access to education, substance abuse, cultism and mental health struggles.
He said: “Nigeria has left a dangerous question unanswered: who is raising our boys? From out-of-school rates to drug abuse, cultism, and a silent mental health crisis, our boys are falling through the cracks while remaining invisible in the national conversation.
He added: “.PTBCI exists to change that – and the Year of The Man is us changing it at scale.”
He stressed that society can no longer ignore the question of who is guiding and raising the next generation of men, adding that the organisation intends to create lasting change by providing mentorship and structured opportunities for boys to thrive.
Shomuyiwa, who is based in the United States, said he is committed to expanding the organisation’s global partnerships and bringing an international perspective to its work.
According to him, many boys have long been expected to cope with emotional and societal pressures on their own simply because they are perceived as naturally resilient.
He noted that PTBCI seeks to redefine modern masculinity by creating a support system that equips young men with the tools they need to succeed, emphasising that genuine impact is measured by the positive transformation of individual lives rather than public recognition.
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The organisation also revealed that Close The Gap explores the widening disconnect between Nigerian boys and the support systems designed to help them.
The documentary serves as the foundation for a year-long programme of outreach, mentorship and advocacy initiatives aimed at ensuring boys and men of different ages receive the guidance and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.
