Today, 19 November, is International Men’s Day (IMD), a global moment to celebrate the contributions men make to society while also recognising their challenges and vulnerabilities. The day is not new: it was revived in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago, who chose the date to honour his father’s birthday. 
IMD is rooted in six core pillars: promoting positive male role models, acknowledging men’s emotional and physical well-being, addressing discrimination, improving gender relations, and fostering a world where men and boys can reach their full potential. 
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Men and Boys.”  It encourages the society to uplift men as individuals both for what they do and for who they are. It also highlights the importance of mental health, healthy masculinity, and the pressures many men face behind the scenes. 
A less-discussed but powerful angle: in many places, International Men’s Day is a chance to reset what being a man means. For younger generations especially, it is a space to challenge old ideas of masculinity, to ask questions about their emotional lives, and to build a healthier idea of manhood for the future.
Why it matters for Nigeria:
• Men’s mental, emotional, and physical health remain under-addressed.
• Social expectations often silence men’s struggles.
• Positive role models, empathy, and more inclusive conversations can help rewrite narratives for individuals, families, and communities.
