Breaking The Silence On Male Infertility In Nigeria

Infertility in Nigeria has largely been viewed as a woman’s problem. In many communities, when a couple struggles to conceive, the woman is often blamed, subjected to emotional abuse, social stigma and even marital instability.

However, evidence is increasingly showing that male infertility is becoming a major public health concern in the country, driven by unhealthy lifestyles, environmental pollution, delayed health-seeking behaviour and widespread ignorance about reproductive health.

A consultant obstetrician/ gynaecologist and chief executive officer of Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, described the trend as a “galloping rise” in male infertility that requires urgent national attention.

He said a decade-long study conducted between 2003 and 2013 revealed a 30 per cent decline in sperm count among Nigerian men. Even more alarming, about 12 per cent of men now presenting at the fertility centre have no sperm at all, a condition known medically as azoospermia, while nearly half have low sperm counts.

These figures suggest that fertility challenges in the country can no longer be viewed as primarily a female issue.

It is estimated that male factors account for between 40 and 60 per cent of infertility cases, yet men are still less likely than women to seek evaluation when couples experience difficulty conceiving.

The misconception has serious consequences. Many women undergo repeated medical tests and treatments while their partners refuse fertility assessments because of cultural beliefs that equate fertility with masculinity.

Experts argue that changing this narrative is one of the biggest challenges in addressing infertility in the country.

They linked declining male fertility to  modern lifestyles; smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, obesity, poor nutrition, chronic stress, lack of exercise, and prolonged exposure to heat have all been linked to reduced sperm quality.

Dr. Abayomi expressed particular concern about the growing use of muscle-enhancing drugs and performance-boosting substances among young men.

Many users, he said, are unaware that these substances can suppress natural testosterone production and severely reduce sperm production, sometimes causing long-term infertility.

Unfortunately, reproductive health education remains limited, leaving many young men unaware of the risks before permanent damage occurs.

Beyond lifestyle, environmental pollution is emerging as another significant threat.

Abayomi’s earlier research found that male infertility appears to be more common in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region, where prolonged exposure to environmental contaminants may affect reproductive health.

Heavy metals from mining activities, industrial pollution, oil spills, pesticides, and other environmental toxins have all been associated with declining sperm quality globally.

Although more local research is needed, fertility specialists believe environmental exposures deserve more attention from both health authorities and environmental regulators.

According to a fertility specialists

Dr. Jesse Atongo, age remains one of the strongest predictors of successful conception, particularly for women.

He also noted that men’s reproductive health is influenced by age and lifestyle. Excessive alcohol intake, smoking, prolonged stress, and long periods of sexual abstinence can damage sperm DNA, lowering fertility and reducing the chances of successful In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

While male infertility is increasing, advances in assisted reproductive technology are providing new opportunities for affected couples.

Procedures such as IVF, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), sperm retrieval techniques, and Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) have significantly improved treatment outcomes.

According to Atongo, PGT allows doctors to identify genetically healthy embryos before implantation, increasing IVF success rates to as high as 70 per cent in suitable cases.

However, Dr. Abayomi cautioned that IVF is not always the first solution. For many men, addressing unhealthy lifestyles early may prevent infertility before advanced treatments become necessary.

Despite remarkable advances in fertility medicine, experts warn that Nigeria’s assisted reproduction industry requires stronger regulation.

Ajayi called for national guidelines and regulatory frameworks to eliminate quackery, protect patients from false claims, and ensure ethical standards across fertility clinics.

Without effective regulation, desperate couples may become victims of exploitation by unqualified practitioners.

Infertility is often treated as a private family matter, yet its psychological, social, and economic consequences extend far beyond individual households.

Couples struggling with infertility frequently experience depression, anxiety, social isolation, financial hardship, and marital conflict.

Experts advised that reproductive health education should begin early, with greater emphasis on fertility awareness for both boys and girls rather than focusing solely on pregnancy prevention.