The 65-year-old screen icon was inaugurated on Friday in Abuja as a Male Feminists Network (MFN) Ambassador by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD). Alongside other ambassadors, he will help lead a nationwide advocacy campaign aimed at reducing gender-based violence and promoting positive masculinity across Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists after the inauguration, RMD stressed that women have consistently demonstrated competence in leadership whenever they are given the opportunity to serve.
Drawing from his own experience in the film industry, he said, "Personally, when I produced a film two years ago, about 80 per cent of my crew were women. I always tell people in my profession that if you want things done in government, put a woman in charge, and you can sleep with both eyes closed."
The veteran actor urged men to abandon attitudes that reduce women to objects and instead accord them the dignity and respect they deserve.
"Treat them the way you would treat your daughter or your wife—with respect and dignity. Don't objectify them or perpetrate violence against them. Correcting someone does not mean hitting or beating them. It is far better to talk than to use your fists," he said.
RMD maintained that the responsibility of ending gender-based violence should not rest solely on women, insisting that men must become active participants in dismantling harmful beliefs and practices that enable abuse.
"There are institutionalised and systemic ways women's rights are violated in Nigeria, and this is not a battle women should fight alone. Men must also lend their voices to organisations working to protect women's rights and end gender-based violence," he stated.
He also dismissed attempts to compare violence against men with the widespread abuse experienced by women, arguing that the scale and frequency of violence against women remain significantly higher.
According to him, lasting social change begins within the family, where men must model healthy relationships and respectful behaviour.
"It is the way you treat your wife, daughter or children that others will see and emulate," he said.
Reflecting on changing societal attitudes, RMD noted that many practices once considered acceptable were largely products of ignorance rather than intentional cruelty. He said sustained public enlightenment has continued to challenge harmful stereotypes and reshape public perceptions about women's rights.
He also praised the Male Feminists Network initiative for extending its advocacy beyond seminars and conferences into grassroots communities.
"If you can get the Okada rider, taxi driver, mechanic, vulcaniser and students on campuses involved, then the real work has begun. If this is sustained, we will see a reduction in gender-based violence," he said.
He cited interventions in communities across Cross River and Benue states, where dialogue with community leaders helped challenge discriminatory inheritance practices and harmful widowhood rites.
"Our work has shown that many traditional rulers can become champions in preventing gender-based violence. We engage them to change the social norms that perpetuate violence against women, and the response has been encouraging," Igbuzor said.
He added that culture is not static and can evolve through education and awareness, pointing to the declining acceptance of female genital mutilation as evidence that harmful traditions can be abandoned.
"When I was growing up, many people believed female genital mutilation was necessary during childbirth. Today, we know that it is a myth, and the practice is now a crime. That shows culture can change," he said.
Presenting an overview of the initiative, Centre LSD's Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Dr. Victoria Oseyande Udoh, revealed that the project has grown into a nationwide movement spanning Nigeria's six geopolitical zones through six implementing partners.
According to her, the project—Core Support for Building a Network of Male Feminists to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria—was launched in April 2025 with an initial target of training 1,000 male leaders and grassroots influencers. However, within its first year, it directly reached 11,721 participants across the country.
Udoh disclosed that 52 master trainers were trained nationwide before equipping more than 500 community leaders, traditional rulers and professionals with the skills needed to promote gender equality and prevent GBV.
She added that implementing partners also trained 3,169 men and boys from religious and traditional institutions, transport unions, schools, youth organisations, farmers' groups, traders' associations and civil society organisations.
Beyond physical engagements, the project's online certification platform attracted 8,552 participants, with 3,200 Nigerians successfully completing certification as male allies committed to advancing gender justice within their communities.
According to Udoh, the blend of grassroots mobilisation and digital learning has helped establish one of Nigeria's largest organised networks of male advocates against gender-based violence.
She said the initiative has strengthened Male Feminists Networks in several states, secured stronger commitments from traditional and religious leaders, expanded media advocacy on positive masculinity, and enhanced collaboration between male allies, women's rights organisations and government institutions.
While acknowledging differences in performance among implementing partners, Udoh noted that several organisations surpassed their targets, significantly contributing to the project's growing nationwide impact.