Big Brother Naija reality television star, Adekunle Olopade, has launched the Protect The Boy Child Initiative (PTBCI), a non-governmental organisation aimed at mentoring, educating and supporting boys and young men across Nigeria, while appointing fellow BBNaija alumnus, Omololu Shomuyiwa, as its Director of Global Operations and Partnerships.

The organisation also announced the premiere of Close The Gap, a documentary that marks the first phase of its 2026: The Year of The Man campaign, a year-long advocacy programme designed to address challenges confronting boys and men across the country.

Speaking on the initiative, Adekunle said Nigeria has neglected the welfare and development of boys, leaving many vulnerable to problems such as school dropout, drug abuse, cultism and mental health challenges.

He said PTBCI was established to confront those issues through structured mentorship and interventions, adding that the Year of The Man campaign would scale up efforts to ensure boys receive the guidance and support needed to thrive.

Omololu, who is based in the United States, said his appointment would strengthen the organisation’s global partnerships and outreach. He noted that society has long assumed boys are naturally resilient, often overlooking the emotional and social challenges they face.

According to him, the initiative seeks to redefine modern masculinity by providing boys with the support required to overcome isolation, trauma and other obstacles, stressing that meaningful impact is measured by the positive transformation of individual lives.

The documentary, Close The Gap, examines the widening disconnect between Nigerian boys and the support systems meant to nurture them.

According to the organisation, the film will serve as the foundation for a year-round calendar of programmes targeting boys and men of different age groups, with the founders expressing confidence that the initiative will help reshape public conversations around male development and inspire greater investment in the well-being of boys across Nigeria.