Celebrating Men and Boys: How Menvive’s health-tech revolution empowers African men’s health on International Men’s Day
- Celebrating Men and Boys: How Menvive’s health-tech revolution empowers African men’s health on International Men’s Day Ladele Joy Imagine a 70-year-old African...
- This heartbreaking story isn’t rare, it’s a wake-up call that sparked a movement. On November 19, 2025, International Men’s Day celebrated...
- That moment opened my eyes to a painful reality: African men are not just dying from illness, they are dying...
- “We also host weekly Step-A-Thon IG Live sessions every Friday at 7 PM via my IG page (@enthusiast_mike), featuring licensed...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Tech News — everything you need to know is covered below.
Ladele Joy
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Imagine a 70-year-old African man silently battling prostate symptoms for years, too ashamed to seek help until it’s almost too late. This heartbreaking story isn’t rare, it’s a wake-up call that sparked a movement.
On November 19, 2025, International Men’s Day celebrated the theme “Celebrating Men and Boys” worldwide, highlighting men’s challenges. In Lagos, Nigeria, health-tech platform Menvive, co-founded by Mr. Michael Olorunfemi, hosted an event with partner Mainstack to honor African men driving innovation to break stigmas around men’s health using tech, fostering vulnerability and community.
Visionaries like Olorunfemi are turning personal inspiration into actionable change for men across Africa and the diaspora.
The personal spark behind Menvive’s mission in men’s health
Mr. Michael Olorunfemi’s journey to co-founding Menvive started during the chaotic days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As he shared in our exclusive interview, “The inspiration behind Menvive goes back to a life-changing encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.”
“At the time, I was running Google Ads as an MLM seller for an American natural supplements company. One day, a 70-year-old man responded to my ad, seeking supplements to manage what he thought was a simple enlarged prostate. After further tests, however, he was diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer with very limited treatment options.”
This encounter hit hard. Olorunfemi explained, “What shook me wasn’t just the diagnosis; it was the silence. This man had been carrying symptoms for years, too ashamed to tell his family, and too conditioned by society to seek help early. That moment opened my eyes to a painful reality: African men are not just dying from illness, they are dying from silence, stigma, and cultural expectations that teach them to endure quietly.”
Driven by this, Olorunfemi and his co-founder noticed how women openly discussed health online, especially on Clubhouse. “In 2022, driven by that encounter and my co-founder’s observation of how women freely discussing female reproductive health and supporting each other emotionally online, especially on Clubhouse, inspired us to come together to create a Clubhouse community called Men’s Diary,” he said.
“Our goal was to inspire African men to embrace healthy living and challenge the stereotype that seeking help, both mental or medical, is a sign of weakness.”
From Clubhouse chats to a full-fledged health-tech platform for African men
What began as casual conversations evolved rapidly. Olorunfemi recounted, “After a year of co-hosting Men’s Diary with other health enthusiasts, we observed a concerning trend: women were far more engaged in health discussions than men. Many men focused on the expected societal pressures of higher earnings, six-pack abs, and unrealistic expectations around sexual performance. It became clear that men were interested in health, but culture had taught them to hide vulnerability.”
“That realisation led to the creation of Enthusiast Express, our first attempt at turning community conversations into a structured, culturally relevant men’s health solution,” Olorunfemi noted.
By December 2024, it had transformed. “In December 2024, Enthusiast Express evolved into Menvive for better brand positioning, a fully developed health-tech platform built specifically for the needs of African men. What began as a Clubhouse room became a wellness ecosystem offering resourceful health information, preventive care tools, community programs, and safe spaces for vulnerability.”
Menvive addresses unique challenges like cultural silence around prostate issues, mental health, and preventive care. It is tech in action, tailored for African contexts.
Breaking stigmas: How Menvive’s tech tools empower men’s mental and physical health
Menvive’s technology shines in dismantling barriers. Olorunfemi highlighted, “Our IMD Step-A-Thon challenge shows how technology, when combined with culture-aligned wellness support, can reshape men’s health behaviour. Using the StepUp App, participants track daily activity, earn badges, stay accountable, and engage in a non-judgmental space where health is normalised.”
Weekly sessions amplify this. “We also host weekly Step-A-Thon IG Live sessions every Friday at 7 PM via my IG page (@enthusiast_mike), featuring licensed therapists and wellness professionals. These sessions have created a safe space for African men to express vulnerability, ask questions, and learn about health without shame.”
The results were impressive metrics from the challenge. “In just 20 days, the Step-A-Thon has recorded: 3 million+ steps, 26 active participants out of 37 registered men, Some men have achieved 40,000+ steps within 20 hours, Average participant range: 11,000 – 20,000 steps per day,” Olorunfemi shared.
“According to feedback from participants, they’re seeing improvements in cardiovascular activity, sleep patterns, mood, and general awareness around mental health, says most of the participants interviewed. This is what happens when men are given the right tools and a supportive community: they show up.”
Celebrating Men and Boys: Step-A-Thon’s role in holistic well-being for younger generations
International Men’s Day’s theme, “Celebrating Men and Boys”, aligns perfectly with Menvive’s youth focus. Olorunfemi explained how the Step-A-Thon empowers boys and young men: “We shared weekly health tips, practical lifestyle advice, and wellness resources across email newsletters and social media.”
A key event boosted this. “Also, through our partnership with Mainstack, we celebrated the 2025 IMD on November 19th at their Lagos, Nigeria office, spotlighting African men (fathers, brothers, husbands, sons and creators) who are shaping global innovation across 150+ countries, providing a suite of innovative tools to help creatives across the world.”
This initiative plants seeds early. By gamifying health via the StepUp app, young men learn consistency and vulnerability. It’s fun, walking becomes a habit that builds strength in body and mind.
Future innovations: Menvive’s health-tech roadmap for African men’s empowerment
Menvive isn’t stopping. Olorunfemi revealed exciting plans: “Looking ahead, we’re expanding into: AI-powered wellness systems. We’re currently 48 percent complete on an AI integration that will personalise preventive health guidance and mental wellness to African men.”
“Digital therapy and virtual wellness communities are designed to reduce cultural barriers, isolation, and shame, especially for men in the diaspora.”
These advancements position Menvive as a leader. “These innovations position Menvive at the intersection of culture, technology, and preventive care,” he affirmed. Imagine AI chats offering tailored advice on prostate health or stress management customised for African lifestyles.
A message for men and boys on International Men’s Day: Embrace tech for vulnerability and wellness
Olorunfemi’s wisdom ties it all together. “My message is simple: Use technology intentionally, using it to: Become self-aware, track your health and progress, build consistent, healthy habits, connect with a community of accountable men, improve your mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being, and find safe spaces where you can be human first. Break the pressure to maintain unhealthy forms of masculinity.”
He added, “Tech isn’t just a distraction; it can be a lifeline, a support system, and a catalyst for transformation.”
An invitation follows. “We’re inviting all men and boys across Africa to join the ongoing Menvive Step-A-Thon Challenge, a fun, supportive challenge designed to help you move more, feel better, and celebrate yourself.”
Opportunities to win exciting rewards at the end of November. A supportive brotherhood focused on real health, not pressure. Simple tech that makes wellness easy. A chance to celebrate Men and Boys in a meaningful, healthy way.”
Joining the brotherhood: Why Menvive matters for celebrating men and boys today
Menvive’s story shows tech’s power in men’s health. From a pandemic encounter to a thriving platform, it’s breaking the silence across Africa. The Step-A-Thon is a stride toward better lives.
On International Men’s Day, celebrate by acting. Download StepUp, join the challenge, and connect. As Olorunfemi proves, vulnerability is strength. Tech makes it accessible, turning “Celebrating Men and Boys” into real, lasting change.
In a world that pressures men to stay tough, Menvive says, “It’s okay to seek help.