Despite years of sexual health campaigns and easy access to condoms, a lot of men still admit they don’t like how they feel, can’t always afford them, or simply believe they’re unnecessary. Some say the latex barrier dulls the experience, others insist trust in their partners makes protection redundant, and a few think age or exclusivity exempts them from the risk. Yet, beneath these reasons lies a bigger truth, conversations about safe sex among Nigerian men are often laced with misinformation, ego, and silence.
We spoke to six men about why protection still takes a back seat during sex, and what, if anything, could convince them to wrap it up.
‘If they made thinner, comfortable condoms, maybe more men would actually use them.’- Richard*, 29
A lot of Nigerian men don’t like using condoms because, let’s be honest, it feels different. Personally, I only get to have sex once or twice a month, and I don’t use condoms every time. My issue is how thick they are. It’s like a barrier between my penis and the real thing. Another reason, which people don’t talk about enough, is affordability. Condoms aren’t cheap especially if you’re not financially stable. So you’re spending money on something that doesn’t feel as good. If they made thinner, comfortable condoms, maybe more men would actually use them.
‘My partners prefer it raw,’- Wale*, 31
First of all, there’s nothing that will make a Nigerian man want to use condoms, especially when he has a choice not to. I have a lot of sex, and every single time, I’d rather go raw, especially if my partners have recent test results. It’s not like I don’t care. I do. I usually ask for their results before we have sex. But most of my partners also prefer it raw. Maybe because they’re on birth control or they’ll just take Postinor afterwards. Either way, I’m not the only one making that decision.
‘I don’t use condoms because I trust my partners.’- Chika*, 33
I only have sex with people I’m exclusive with or those I trust. That’s the only reason I don’t use condoms. If my partner suddenly asked that we start using condoms, I’d honestly think she’s either been with someone else or doesn’t trust me anymore. I know it’s not foolproof, but I try to be careful. I always ask about ovulation and timing. I don’t always know if they’re on birth control, but I try to avoid risky periods.
Also Read:7 Nigerian Men Confess Their Biggest Big Dick Struggles
‘Tell men more stories about STIs and unwanted pregnancies’- Michael*, 26
I think people misunderstand why Nigerian men don’t use protection. It’s not always deep. Most men just want to get the most pleasure possible. Sex feels different with a condom, and even women will tell you that. For me, I try to be responsible. If I find someone I vibe with and I know she’s safe, we’ll probably have sex regularly for that period. Then I can go weeks or even months without sex. I guess that’s my version of being careful.
If people want men to use condoms more, I think the best approach is to tell real stories about sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, things that actually make the risks feel real.
‘I’m too old to use condoms’- Aliyu*, 41
I can’t remember the last time I used a condom, not because I’m careless, but because I feel too old for that. My method of protection is pulling out. Sounds wild, I know, but that’s what works for me. Most of the women I sleep with don’t even ask for condoms. I still try to be responsible — I keep the morning-after pill in my house and offer it after sex, whether or not I pull out. Sometimes, I even pay for them to get tested afterwards. That’s how I do my part.
‘The only thing that can get men to use protection more, is child support.’- Dele*, 28
I don’t have sex that often, but when I do, I rarely use condoms. I’ve been seeing the same person for a while, so I don’t think there’s any need. Honestly, I think the only real motivator for men to use condoms would be strict child support laws. If every man had to pay monthly for a child he didn’t plan for, you’d see condom sales skyrocket overnight.
Bottom Line
Across all these conversations, one thing is clear: Nigerian men’s relationship with protection is a mix of comfort, convenience, and culture. Many still see contraception as a woman’s responsibility or view condoms as a threat to pleasure. But in a society where unwanted pregnancies and STIs are still common, the refusal to use protection says a lot about how far we still have to go in normalising shared responsibility. Until that changes, sex will continue to be risky, and not just for the women involved.
Read Next: Contraceptives Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All: 5 Women on Finding (or Avoiding) What Works
