A health communication expert and certified management trainer based in Lagos, Ojenagbon, has raised concerns over the rising number of Nigerian men dying prematurely, attributing the trend to cultural expectations, poor health-seeking behaviour and gaps in the healthcare system.
Ojenagbon recalled the story of a relative, popularly known as Uncle T, who died at the age of 52 after ignoring symptoms of illness. According to him, the man initially treated what he believed was malaria with herbs and drugs purchased from roadside chemists and only visited a hospital after his condition deteriorated, by which time his kidneys had already failed.
He noted that similar situations occur in many Nigerian households, stressing that data from the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria indicates that life expectancy in Nigeria is about 55 years for men and 57 years for women, showing that males generally die earlier than females.
The health expert explained that the difference in life expectancy is linked to several factors, including cultural expectations surrounding masculinity, economic pressure and reluctance among men to seek medical attention. He said many men avoid hospitals because they fear being perceived as weak.
Research conducted by Nnamdi Azikiwe University also found that many men conceal their health problems due to the pressure to appear strong, a situation that often leads to late diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
Ojenagbon said the tendency to rely on self-medication is common among men, adding that persistent symptoms such as headaches, chest pain or breathing difficulties are often ignored or treated casually until the conditions become severe.
He added that cardiologists have observed that heart failure among Nigerian men frequently occurs between the ages of 55 and 59, significantly earlier than the average onset age in Europe and North America where such conditions usually appear after the age of 70.
According to him, the trend is also linked to undiagnosed health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, unhealthy diets high in red meat and saturated fat, as well as excessive alcohol consumption.
Ojenagbon further noted that hospital records show that more than 10 per cent of heart failure patients in Nigeria die during hospital admission, highlighting the dangers of late presentation at medical facilities.
He also drew attention to the growing mental health challenges among men, citing data from the Nigerian Medical Association which indicates that men are three to four times more likely to die by suicide than women.
The association recently launched the Men Stay Alive Project to raise awareness about male health challenges and encourage men to seek help when dealing with health or emotional difficulties.
Ojenagbon said many public health facilities in Nigeria are largely designed around maternal and child healthcare services, making men less comfortable seeking treatment in such environments. He added that some men also avoid public hospitals due to concerns about cost, unfriendly attitudes from health workers and lack of male-focused services.
As a result, he explained, many men prefer informal healthcare providers such as patent medicine vendors or traditional healers who require fewer procedures before offering treatment.
The health expert noted that when men eventually seek professional medical help, the diseases are often already in advanced stages, making treatment more difficult and expensive.
He added that the cost of managing severe illnesses, particularly organ failure, often places a heavy financial burden on families, as patients may already have lost their ability to work and earn income.
Ojenagbon therefore stressed the need for increased public awareness on men’s health, expanded medical screening programmes and improved access to healthcare services tailored to the needs of men.
He also emphasised the importance of encouraging men to undergo regular health checks, seek medical advice early and speak openly about both physical and mental health challenges.
