A new Nollywood advocacy series, The Boy Child’s Life, which sheds light on the challenges facing male children in Nigeria, premiered on Saturday night in Abuja.
The 20-episode series explores issues such as deprivation, molestation, drug abuse, peer pressure, and unrealistic societal expectations often faced by boys, yet rarely addressed. The private screening in the Federal Capital Territory drew actors, filmmakers, government officials, and representatives of organisations such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and UNICEF.
Produced by Joyce Nwakanma Productions and directed by veteran filmmaker Tola Balogun, the series features a star-studded cast, including Sydney Diala, Joyce Nwakanma, and young Nollywood talent Ebube Diala, who plays the lead role.
Speaking at the event, producer Joyce Nwakanma said the series was created to raise awareness about the neglect the boy child suffers in contrast to the attention often given to the girl child.
“Everybody talks about the girl child, but nobody talks about the boy child, who faces hostility, assault, and exploitation. Society often assumes he can handle it all, but boys need just as much support and guidance,” she said.
Director Tola Balogun echoed the sentiment, stressing that societal expectations often force boys into premature decision-making without recognising their vulnerability.
“Just because he is a boy doesn’t mean he’s ready to face life’s challenges alone,” Balogun noted.
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Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, in a goodwill message delivered by Halima Oyelade, commended the initiative. He affirmed the corporation’s commitment to supporting projects that promote national development and social reform.
“If the boy child is not properly nurtured, he grows up to become a burden to himself and to society. This project is timely and necessary,” Oyelade said.
The Boy Child’s Life joins a growing movement within Nollywood using storytelling to address social issues and provoke national conversations on overlooked but vital topics.
