The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has launched an online course on Male Feminism for prevention of Gender Based Violence in Nigeria and African continent.
The project tagged ‘Male Feminists Network’ (MFN) is aimed at building a country where men and women live free from violence, discrimination, and inequality.
Addressing a press conference Tuesday in Abuja during the public unveiling and launch of the MFN digital learning platform, founding executive director of Centre LSD, Dr Otive Igbuzor, said the Male Feminist Network (MFN) was conceived as a bold and transformative initiative to challenge patriarchal norms and mobilize men as allies in the fight against gender-based violence.
The mission, according to him, is to train, mentor, and mobilize male leaders and grassroots influencers who will champion feminist values, challenge harmful stereotypes, and advance gender justice across Nigeria.
The development expert said the fight against gender-based violence is not a women’s fight; it is a human fight.
“It is about creating a Nigeria where everyone—man, woman, or child—can live free from fear and discrimination. Let history record that in our generation, Nigerian men chose the path of equality—and in doing so, we transformed our nation for good.”
Igbuzor said the strategy is to train at least 1,000 male leaders across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, build a network of 10,000 certified male feminists in the coming years.
“Men and women across Nigeria—and indeed Africa—can now register, learn, interact, and get certified as male feminists from anywhere.
“Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in Nigeria. Reports indicate that over 35% of Nigerian women have experienced physical violence, and many more face emotional, sexual, or economic abuse.
“We cannot end GBV by focusing on women alone. Men must be part of the solution—not as spectators, but as active champions of justice, equality, and nonviolence.
“The MFN Digital Course embodies this philosophy. It is designed to transform mindsets, equip men with feminist knowledge, and mobilize them for sustained advocacy and community action.”
The Centre, however called on governments at all levels to integrate male engagement into national and state-level GBV prevention frameworks.
While mobilizing donors, private sector and Nigerians for the project, Igbuzor said the Male Feminists Network (MFN) showed that transformation is possible when knowledge meets purpose, and conviction meets courage.
“We are demonstrating that men can be partners—not perpetrators—in building a just society. We are proving that technology can be a tool for liberation, not oppression; and that education can dismantle the very structures that perpetuate violence and discrimination.
“Let this launch ignite a new wave of enlightenment across homes, institutions, and communities. Let every man who logs on to mfn.centrelsd.org find not just information, but inspiration—to act, to lead, and to champion equality.
Together, we can end the cycle of gender-based violence. Together, we can nurture a culture where masculinity means empathy, strength means respect, and leadership means service.
“The journey has begun. Let us move forward—with courage, compassion, and commitment—until every woman is safe, every man is accountable, and every child grows in a world defined by equality and love.”
Earlier in her opening speech, Director of Development at the Centre LSD, Dr. Margaret Fagboyo, said over the years, Gender Based Violence has been driven by women and women’s organization only, adding that sustainable change can only happen when men are not passive observers but active allies.
She said: “Today’s event marks a remarkable step in our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society where man and women stand side by side in the pursuit of gender pursuit and prevention of violence in all its forms.”
