While significant attention has been given to the development of girls in recent years, stakeholders say many boys are increasingly growing up without the mentorship, guidance, and support systems needed to navigate adolescence and become responsible adults.
From rising cases of substance abuse and cybercrime to negative peer influence, school disengagement, and harmful notions of masculinity, concerns are growing about the challenges confronting boys and young men across communities.
In response, MarBen Foundation has concluded the maiden edition of its BroCode Conference, a mentorship and leadership initiative designed to equip boys with the knowledge, values, and support needed to make positive life choices and become responsible members of society.
Held on June 13, 2026, in Jalingo, Taraba State, the conference brought together more than 230 boys from participating schools across the state and served as the culmination of the six-week BroCode School Tour, which reached over 720 boys in 19 secondary schools. The BroCode Conference was partly supported by TY Danjuma Foundation.
The conference, themed “Intentional Bro: Raising Responsible Men,” was designed to create a safe space where boys could engage in meaningful conversations around leadership, personal development, education, life choices, and responsible masculinity.
According to MarBen Foundation, the initiative was born out of a growing recognition that many boys are navigating critical stages of development without access to positive male role models or structured mentorship.
To address this gap, participants were engaged using the BroCode Mentorship Guide, a specially designed resource covering topics such as self-awareness, self-leadership, drug abuse, peer pressure, cybercrime awareness, financial literacy, sexual health, responsible decision-making, and goal setting.
The programme encouraged boys to openly discuss the challenges they face while providing practical tools to help them make informed decisions and prepare for adulthood.
One of the major highlights of the conference was the Father Mentorship Circle, which brought together more than 30 carefully selected mentors from different professions and backgrounds.
Through small-group discussions, participants engaged directly with educators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, professionals, and fathers who shared personal experiences, lessons learned, and insights on navigating life’s challenges.
The mentorship sessions provided a rare opportunity for many of the boys to interact closely with positive male role models and ask questions about education, career growth, relationships, leadership, and personal development.
For one participant from Government Day Secondary School, Kofai, the experience left a lasting impression.
“I loved the small group discussion. I got to ask specific questions and learned a lot from my father mentor. He shared his story of starting primary school at the age of 16 and how determination and focus helped him succeed. His story inspired me to never give up on my dreams,” he said.
At the end of the conference, participants received Certificates of Completion and were inducted as BroCode Ambassadors.
As ambassadors, they are expected to continue promoting positive values, leadership, and peer mentorship within their schools and communities, ensuring that the impact of the programme extends beyond the conference itself.
Speaking during the event, one of the Father Mentors described the initiative as timely and necessary.
“This programme is very good. The vision is valid. Today, we have sown seeds into these boys. I believe that through them, we have a brighter future as a country and as a state. There is hope,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Executive Director of MarBen Foundation, Dorcas Elisha, emphasized the urgent need for intentional investments in boys.
“We want to bridge the mentorship gap among young boys. We need to connect them with positive role models and create opportunities for them to learn, grow, and thrive. We cannot leave their development to chance,” she said.
“There is so much happening with boys today, from drug abuse and cybercrime to negative peer influences. If we fail our boys, we fail future generations. These boys will become fathers, husbands, professionals, and community leaders tomorrow. That is why this work matters.”
Elisha noted that BroCode is not simply a conference but a growing movement focused on creating safe spaces where boys can access mentorship, guidance, leadership development, and opportunities for positive growth.
Following the success of the maiden edition, MarBen Foundation has called on government agencies, schools, faith-based institutions, development partners, corporate organisations, and community leaders to support the expansion of the initiative.
According to the Foundation, raising responsible men requires collective action and sustained investment in mentorship, life-skills education, and positive male engagement.
MarBen Foundation is a nonprofit organisation committed to promoting quality, inclusive, and equitable education while empowering children and young people through mentorship, leadership development, digital literacy, skills acquisition, and community-based interventions.
Through BroCode and its other youth-focused initiatives, the organisation continues to work towards building a future where every young person has access to the support, opportunities, and guidance needed to reach their full potential.
