The vibrant city of Lagos witnessed an extraordinary gathering of Nigeria's most influential personalities on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, for the exclusive launch of the highly anticipated MENtality with Ebuka podcast.
Star-Studded Red Carpet and Powerful Vision
The event transformed into a spectacular showcase of Nigerian star power, with celebrities including Tobi Bakre, Nancy Isime, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Timini Egbuson gracing the red carpet. The podcast's host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and co-host Banky W welcomed guests to an evening that combined entertainment with meaningful dialogue about modern masculinity.
Blessing Omakwu, Co-Executive Producer and Founder of The She Tank, set the tone for the evening by explaining the project's significant purpose. "At The She Tank, we see MENtality with Ebuka as a powerful platform through which gender equality can truly thrive," Omakwu stated. "True equality is impossible without men's active participation. We're proud to partner with people courageous enough to start conversations that many avoid."
Unfiltered Conversations and Audience Engagement
One of the most memorable segments of the night featured the "Women Talk Back" panel with Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Tolu 'Toolz' Oniru-Demuren. The dynamic duo analyzed podcast clips addressing love, identity, and the financial pressures confronting contemporary men, generating spontaneous audience reactions, laughter, and enthusiastic snaps throughout their presentation.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu addressed the podcast's central mission of liberating men from restrictive masculine stereotypes. "Too often, men feel pressured to fit into molds that don't serve them. With MENtality with Ebuka, we're creating a space where men can speak honestly about who they are; their struggles, fears, and growth, without shame," he explained.
Reshaping the Narrative on Manhood
Co-host Banky W expanded on this vision, emphasizing the podcast's commitment to transforming conversations about masculinity. "We're trying to reshape the conversation around manhood, to move past the noise of toxic masculinity and present a more balanced, honest and hopeful view. It isn't about achieving perfection, but progression one honest conversation at a time," Banky W noted.
Attendees enjoyed an exclusive preview of the debut season, which features candid discussions with prominent Nigerian figures including:
- Seun Kuti
- Johnny Drille
- Timi Dakolo
- Hermes Iyele
- Noble Igwe
- Murewa Ogunkoya and Michael Sonariwo from Menisms podcast
The podcast masterfully blends storytelling, cultural insights, and uncomfortable truths to explore the authentic experience of being a man in contemporary Nigeria.
The first episode of MENtality with Ebuka premiered on October 31, 2025, with new episodes released every Friday across Ebuka's YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. The podcast represents a collaborative effort between She Tank Studios, JM Films, and Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), hosted by the charismatic Deji Osikoya.
