Stakeholders have raised concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, saying that unless urgent steps are taken to curb the trend, the menace will continue to undermine the rights, health, and opportunities of millions of women and girls.

They stressed the need for the Nigerian authorities to stop tolerating all forms of violence to check rising cases of GBV in the country.

The stakeholders who made this call in Abuja during the Men’s 2025 Summit hosted by YouthHubAfrica in collaboration with the Ford Foundation to tackle rising cases of GBV in the country believed that the cases are skyrocketing because violence has been tolerated in homes for too long.

They advocated for tangible commitments from participants to amplify voices across Nigeria through in-person engagement and state-level virtual hubs, noting that commitment is an important step in reframing the fight against GBV as a shared mission where men and women work hand in hand toward a more just and equal society.

Speaking, Regional Director, West Africa of Ford Foundation, Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, who expressed optimism that rising cases of GBV could be reduced, urged African men to control their emotion and their bodies at every point in time to limit cases of GBV.

“I think if African men can control their emotions, if they can control their bodies, if they can control everything, I think we won’t be having this conversation, but that requires socialization.

“The society we live in today is an extremely violent society. So the reason that we are facing the kind of violence that we have in this country is because the very first form of violence, which is violence against women, which is gender based violence, has been tolerated in our homes.”

Aniagolu-Okoye urged men to see their female counterparts as partners rather than competitors, saying: “You should be thankful when you have a wife or a partner who is able to help you, but tradition has made you believe that it is an insult instead of favour.

“So instead of seeing the woman who is helping you as favor, you become antagonistic, you become competitive, and then you become aggressive.”
Earlier in his remarks, Executive Director of YouthHubAfrica, Rotimi Olawale, lamented that GBV has continued to affect millions of women and girls in Nigeria, regretting that the development is undermining their rights, health, and opportunities.

Noting that interventions have largely focused on protecting survivors and empowering women, he insisted that the role of men as fathers, brothers, leaders, and peers remains pivotal.

Olawale added that the summit was convened to help stakeholders understand that men must not only refrain from violence but also actively partner with women to dismantle harmful norms, promote equality, and build safer communities.
“It brings together traditional leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, youth networks, and private sector stakeholders to spark meaningful dialogue and action on one of Nigeria’s most pressing issues, which is GBV.”