For some men in Lagos, the decision to have sex is no longer just about intimacy.
It is increasingly about money, responsibility and the fear of an unintended pregnancy.
With the cost of living rising, some men say condoms, one of the few family planning options directly available to them, are becoming too expensive.
They are now calling on the government, donor agencies and philanthropists to subsidise male family planning services and make contraceptives more affordable.
For Chris, a 40-year-old resident of Egan-Igando in Alimosho Local Government Area, the mathematics is simple: with four children already, another pregnancy is a financial burden his family can hardly afford.
“The condom I used to buy for ₦50 some years ago now costs ₦600 for just three pieces,” he lamented.
“We have four kids already. Feeding and school fees are tough. Now imagine spending up to ₦20,000 a month just on condoms. What will be left for other responsibilities?”
A visit to pharmacies around the area showed that prices vary by brand and location. One shop sold a pack of three condoms for ₦600, another for ₦500, while another sold the same quantity for ₦550.
For some men, the rising cost has turned what was once a routine purchase into something they now have to think twice about.
When Avoiding Pregnancy Becomes a Financial Strategy
The concern goes beyond the price of condoms.
Some men say the rising cost of raising children has made avoiding unintended pregnancies almost a survival strategy.
Baby food, clothing, healthcare, school fees and other household expenses have all become more difficult to manage.
There is also growing concern among some men about their financial responsibilities if a pregnancy occurs outside marriage.
Under Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, a man who impregnates a woman is required to provide for her during the pregnancy, including food, shelter and medical care. The provision is intended to protect pregnant women from abandonment and financial hardship.
But some men say the law has added another layer to their fears about unintended pregnancies.
Kayode Lawrence, an unmarried young man living in Victoria Island, says he has avoided sexual activity for almost a year.
“I can’t risk getting anyone pregnant. My job doesn’t pay much. The Lagos law scares me,” he said.
“Some couples I know have stopped being intimate altogether because of fear. Men need help.”
“What Is Left for Men?”
In parts of Mazamaza and Amuwo-Odofin, respondents said condoms sell for about ₦500 to ₦600 for some brands, while premium brands can cost considerably more.
Julius, a local chemist, said prices depend largely on the brand and location.
“Some condoms cost ₦500, others up to ₦4,000. You buy what you can afford,” he said.
But a pharmacist in the area believes the prices reflect the wider economic situation.
“I don’t think ₦500 is too much considering the economy. Most items have increased significantly in the last few years,” he said.
He advised people who cannot afford condoms to explore family planning services available at public health facilities.
For some men, however, the bigger issue is not simply the price of condoms.
It is the limited number of contraceptive choices available to them.
Why Are Most Options Designed for Women?
Several married men interviewed said they would consider other methods of family planning if affordable and suitable options were available to them.
Chris wants more choices.
“Why are there many family planning options for women but almost none for men?” he asked.
“We have condoms and vasectomy. If cheaper, effective and reversible options were available for men, more of us would use them.”
Vasectomy is a highly effective form of permanent contraception for men, but it is not suitable for everyone because it is intended to be permanent.
For men who are not ready for such a permanent decision, the options remain limited.
Chris believes this imbalance deserves greater attention.
“Some of us would like to have more options. We want to remain sexually active without constantly worrying about an unintended pregnancy.”
When Family Planning Fails, the Burden Is Often Shared
Kayode also raised concerns about the experiences of women who use hormonal contraceptives.
“A friend’s wife bled for months after taking a family planning injection. They stopped,” he said.
“Now even condoms are expensive. What’s left?”
Health experts, however, note that contraceptive methods affect individuals differently, and side effects should be discussed with qualified health workers rather than becoming a reason to abandon family planning altogether.
Nigeria’s Family Planning Challenge
The debate over condom prices comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s wider family planning challenge.
Millions of women and couples still face barriers to accessing modern contraceptive methods, while the high cost of living makes reproductive healthcare more difficult for many households to afford.
A major concern is that conversations around family planning often focus heavily on women, even though men play an equally important role in preventing unintended pregnancies.
Bola Nuga, a civil society advocate for maternal health in Lagos, said family planning services are available at public primary healthcare centres, with efforts being made to maintain supplies.
But he acknowledged the need for stronger male participation.
“There is a need for more education and sensitisation for men to support family planning. Male involvement programmes are crucial,” he said.
Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, who leads a coalition of reproductive health organisations, also said men have fewer options covered by existing family planning interventions.
“For men, condoms remain the primary option,” he said.
Government, NGOs Urged to Look Beyond Women
The Lagos State Government has also encouraged men to participate actively in family planning by supporting their wives and partners to use modern contraceptives.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, made the call during the 2025 World Contraceptive Day celebration in Alausa, Ikeja, themed “Empowering Choices, Your Future, Your Control.”
The event was supported by the International Society of Media in Public Health and EngenderHealth, among other partners.
But some respondents say the conversation should go beyond married women.
They want young and unmarried men who are sexually active to have access to accurate information, affordable condoms and appropriate reproductive health services.
Beyond Free Condoms
Free condoms distributed during public health campaigns can help, but some men say they are not enough.
For them, the bigger question is whether family planning should be treated as a shared responsibility, rather than something that places most of the burden on women.
They are asking for more affordable condoms, greater male participation in family planning, better public education and continued research into safe male contraceptive options.
Chris puts it simply:
“Even if we are not rich, intimacy is a part of life. It shouldn’t become something people are afraid of because they cannot afford to prevent an unintended pregnancy.”
For many Lagos men, the message is clear: family planning is not only a woman’s responsibility. Men want more choices too.
By Innocent Onoh
