This year’s International Men’s Day in Lagos won’t be forgotten for a long time. It came to life at TEDx Admiralty Way, where hundreds gathered to challenge old narratives, rethink masculinity and celebrate men in a refreshing and honest way.
Held at Filmhouse Cinemas, Lekki Phase 1, the event brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers under the theme “Transforming Masculinity Through Infrastructure.”
What unfolded was one of the most emotionally charged and impactful TEDx editions the city has seen.
From the moment doors opened, the atmosphere carried a rare mix of vulnerability and excitement. Supported by headline sponsors Café One and Filmhouse, the event created the perfect environment for introspection, storytelling, and bold conversations about the future of masculinity in Nigeria.
When asked what the vision was behind TEDx Admiralty Way 2025, one of the conveners, Kelechi Nwaozuzu, said:
“There are a lot of events celebrating women, and I love them, I’m a woman. But we looked around and saw that there are not many events celebrating men or pointing them in the right direction… There’s a wrong definition of masculinity, so rather than wait for someone to redefine it, we will take the bull by the horns and redefine masculinity.”
As conversations around gender evolve globally, Nigerian men face a unique set of pressures: to lead, provide, succeed, and remain emotionally guarded.
TEDx Admiralty Way carved out space to interrogate these expectations, giving room for honest storytelling, evidence-based ideas, and reflection.
The event emphasized how infrastructures: physical, cultural, emotional, and digital, shape the way men are raised, perceived, and supported.
The speakers, each distinguished in their field, offered powerful insights on redefining modern masculinity in a fast-changing Nigeria. They invited the audience to re-examine the “hard guy” narrative and embrace a healthier definition of male identity.
Key Moments From the Stage
Abubakar Suleiman, MD of Sterling Bank, spoke on leadership and vulnerability, stating that ‘The current definition of masculinity is outdated and needs to change’ and imploring all men to decide what makes them a man.
Olushola Olaleye, a serial entrepreneur, spoke about the anachronistic mentality of masculinity and how it has affected men’s success in business. He said, ‘We think that for you to be a man, you have to dominate, but what it takes to build successful empires is a level of emotional intelligence and collaboration.’
Obinna Ukachukwu, an Executive Director at Sterling Bank, explored the negative impacts of men hiding pain, loneliness and feelings of inadequacy. He explained that “Real masculinity is the courage to be whole, not perfect.”
Tunde Onakoya, Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, moved the audience with stories of young boys who found identity and healing through chess, reminding everyone that “every boy child is like a pawn on a chess board, but when he is enabled on his journey of becoming and makes it to the final square, he becomes powerful.”
Each speaker reinforced a unifying message: Masculinity is evolving, and society must evolve with it.
The success of TEDx Admiralty Way was made possible by a coalition of visionary sponsors who believe in the power of ideas and community transformation. They are; Cafe One, Filmhouse Cinemas, Quilo, Visionary Studios, Sterling Bank, BayRoyal International Ltd, Kaldi Africa, Hollandia (Chi), Red Bull, Fruta Jugo, Kaddos Cakes, Cake Mayor, One Bank, Coca Cola(NBC), Boshan, Nutrisnax, and McVities.
Their support enabled a world-class experience and helped amplify a conversation that will shape generations.
A New Chapter for TEDx Admiralty Way
As conversations continue long after the final talk, one thing has become clear: The world is ready for a more compassionate, more balanced, and more intentional definition of manhood.
