Men in Lagos State spent an estimated ₦661billion on transactional sex in 2024, according to a survey report.
The findings, published by MO Africa Co, an advisory firm that leverages data to provide solutions across businesses and governments in Africa, shed light on the scale and complexity of a largely underground industry that thrives despite legal and societal constraints.
According to the report, ₦329 billion went directly into the hands of sex workers. Men spent ₦117 billion on gifts alone, ₦83.6 billion on entertainment, and ₦66.9 billion on hotels and short-lets.
The demand for sexual enhancers and stimulants also created a ₦16.7 billion market, with another ₦16.7 billion spent on substances and social vices.
The study surveyed 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, capturing insights into spending patterns, social dynamics, and the market’s ripple effects on other industries.
With approximately 3.1 million sexually active men aged 20 to 69 in Lagos, the report estimated that 1.86 million of them engaged in transactional sex throughout the year.
On average, each man spent ₦36,750 per encounter, though prices varied significantly across different areas, ranging from ₦20,000 in Alimosho LGA to ₦100,000 in the affluent Eti-Osa LGA.
The study showed that transactional sex isn’t limited to traditional street prostitution. It also includes services from brothels, high-end escort services, and a growing online market where sex workers use social media and content-sharing sites to find clients.
The reasons for this vast spending stemmed from significant social and economic issues, and many men are said to seek paid sexual services for their convenience, to avoid emotional connections, and to relieve stress, steering clear of the complications that come with regular relationships.
Factors like financial struggles, city growth, and changing views on relationships are also crucial in keeping this industry alive.
Approximately 70% of sex workers identified financial necessity as their primary motivation for engaging in transactional sex, which has become a survival strategy in Lagos due to high living costs and scarce job opportunities.
Their earnings were reinvested in personal upkeep, family support, education, and small businesses.
