In the past couple of years, Nigerian men have become hot in the global dating market, especially among foreign women who go on and on about finding their 鈥楴igerian prince鈥� like they鈥檝e been jazzed.

Scroll through social media and you鈥檒l see women sharing tips on how to keep a Nigerian man, others proudly wearing aso-ebi or learning Igbo for their partner. Say what you want about Nigerian men, but dating them has become鈥� a thing.

What鈥檚 the catch?

Nigerians are everywhere, and they tend to stand out. According to Financial Times, Nigerian men rank among the most ambitious and highly educated migrant groups in the United States, which counts for a lot in an increasingly competitive dating scene.

The 鈥極dogwu鈥� mentality

Nigerian men have built a reputation as 鈥榩roviders and protectors鈥�, and because they like to show off, they don鈥檛 do it quietly. Early on in relationships, it鈥檚 common for them to come in strong with grand gestures and big promises that sweep women off their feet.

Because Nigerian culture leans heavily towards family values, they鈥檙e not shy about committing or stepping into the role of 鈥渉usband鈥� early on (even when they might already have a whole family back home).

For women coming from more individualistic dating cultures, that kind of attention can feel refreshing.

Add the widely held but unverified belief that Nigerian men are exceptionally good in bed, and it鈥檚 safe to say that Nigerian men just have very good PR.

There’s also a pop-culture effect

The reputation doesn鈥檛 exist in a vacuum. Nigerian culture itself has been gaining global attention, and it鈥檚 doing a lot of the heavy lifting. From Afrobeats to Nollywood to fashion, the country has become impossible to ignore on the global stage.

Nigerians wear their culture loudly, through bold style, extravagant weddings and an overall sense of spectacle the world has clearly bought into.

At some point, the appeal of the Nigerian man stopped being just about the man, but a part of a seductive package.

Even TV has played a role. Shows like The Real Housewives of Atlanta have helped frame Nigerian men as desirable, with cast members casually referencing their 鈥淎frican kings鈥� and showing off the lifestyle that comes with them.

Do it for the plot?

Nigerian men are apparently great for character development. So, for anyone who likes the whwirlwind romance and the drama, it鈥檚 a no-brainer, no?

We asked nine Nigerian men to share what the 鈥渂ro code鈥� means to them, and as expected, they didn鈥檛 all agree.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 call it bro code in our time, but we lived by it鈥� 鈥� Joseph*, 45

Joseph laughs when he hears the phrase 鈥渂ro code.鈥� It鈥檚 not something he grew up saying, but he understands the idea behind it.

鈥淚n my generation, we didn鈥檛 call it bro code, but we had our own way of standing up for each other. If your guy was broke, you supported him. If he got into trouble, you showed up. If his woman left him, you didn鈥檛 spread the gist. That was how we moved.

These days, young people talk about the bro code all the time, but they鈥檙e the first to break it. You鈥檒l see someone shouting 鈥榣oyalty鈥� online, but in real life, he鈥檚 gossiping about his friend. Back then, your actions spoke for you. You didn鈥檛 need to say 鈥業鈥檝e got your guy鈥檚 back,’ you just showed it.

For me, being a real friend has always been about respect. You don鈥檛 cross certain lines. You don鈥檛 sleep with your friend鈥檚 woman, you don鈥檛 humiliate him in front of others, and you definitely don鈥檛 betray his trust. We didn鈥檛 need a fancy word like bro code to describe that; it was just how we were raised.鈥�

鈥淏ro code is about respecting unspoken boundaries鈥� 鈥� Victor*, 27

For Victor, bro code isn鈥檛 about being blindly loyal or always covering for your guys. He thinks it鈥檚 about understanding limits, reading the room, and keeping respect intact both ways. To him, it鈥檚 less a list of dos and don鈥檛s and more about emotional intelligence among men.

鈥淚 think people overhype bro code. It鈥檚 not some sacred rulebook that says you have to die on your friend鈥檚 hill or lie for him just because you鈥檙e 鈥榖ros鈥�. For me, it鈥檚 about respecting unspoken boundaries.

Like, don鈥檛 overstep. Don鈥檛 share private things your guy told you in confidence. Don鈥檛 flirt with his partner or his sister, not even jokingly. Don鈥檛 bring your friend鈥檚 matter up in public or with people who aren鈥檛 close to him. And if he tells you something personal, don鈥檛 turn it into gist for the group chat. That鈥檚 bro code to me.

I also think people forget that respect goes both ways. Your guy should know what鈥檚 appropriate to share with you, too. I have friends who overshare about their relationships, and sometimes I tell them, 鈥楪uy, I don鈥檛 need to know all that.鈥� Because if it ever goes south, I don鈥檛 want to be in the middle of awkwardness or be expected to pick sides.

Bro code doesn鈥檛 mean covering up nonsense or pretending your guy is right when he鈥檚 wrong. It just means handling things quietly, respectfully, and without drama. Even if I have to call you out, I鈥檒l do it privately, not in front of others. That鈥檚 how we maintain balance.

At the end of the day, I think every friendship has its own version of bro code. For some people, it鈥檚 loyalty. For others, it鈥檚 secrecy. For me, it鈥檚 boundaries. I don鈥檛 think I can have a lasting friendship with any guy who doesn鈥檛 understand that.鈥�

鈥淢y friends鈥� sisters are off limits. Always鈥� 鈥� Yemi*, 31

Yemi learned the hard way that friendship and family don鈥檛 always mix. After a relationship that ruined a long-time friendship, he made a personal rule about dating within the circle.

鈥淚 was in uni when I dated my closest friend鈥檚 younger sister. We were always hanging out in the same group, and things just happened. At first, my guy didn鈥檛 even mind. He teased me about it and told me to behave myself. But after the breakup, everything changed.

He felt betrayed, and honestly, I could understand. He said it wasn鈥檛 even about the relationship; it was about how awkward everything became after. He couldn鈥檛 trust me around his family anymore. And for me, that friendship was never the same. We tried to patch things up, but you can鈥檛 force comfort.

Since then, my friends鈥� sisters are no-go areas. And they know not to try that rubbish with mine either. I tell everyone upfront that it鈥檚 a line I won鈥檛 cross again. For me, that鈥檚 what bro code is about: respecting boundaries. Once you break that, everything else starts to crumble.鈥�

鈥淚 think the bro code is overrated鈥� 鈥� Chibuzo*, 26

At 26, Chibuzo doesn鈥檛 believe in keeping silent just because it鈥檚 what friends are 鈥渟upposed鈥� to do. He thinks a lot of what men call bro code is simply protecting bad behaviour.

鈥淗alf the time, the bro code is just an excuse for nonsense. Like when a guy cheats and his friends cover for him 鈥� that鈥檚 not loyalty, that鈥檚 foolishness. Or when a friend is messing up and everyone stays quiet because you don鈥檛 want to be seen as a snitch.

I believe in respect and honesty, not blind loyalty. If you鈥檙e my guy and you mess up, I鈥檒l tell you. If you disrespect someone, I鈥檒l call you out. That鈥檚 how real friendships grow. But I鈥檝e noticed that most guys prefer comfort over truth; they want you to keep quiet and just 鈥榮tand by the bros.鈥� That鈥檚 not me.

And don鈥檛 even get me started on how the bro code stops men from being vulnerable. Guys are dying in silence because they鈥檝e been told 鈥榬eal men don鈥檛 talk.鈥� For me, the real bro code should be about caring for your guys, not covering for them. If we can鈥檛 be honest with each other, what鈥檚 the point?鈥�

鈥淏ro code is about respect, not competition鈥� 鈥� Toluwani*, 28

Toluwani doesn鈥檛 believe the bro code has one definition that fits everyone. For him, it鈥檚 more about mutual respect and understanding the boundaries that make a friendship work.

鈥淭o me, bro code depends on the people involved and the level of respect between them. The way I apply it with one person might not be the same way I apply it with another.

In a nutshell, it means prioritising your friend over anything else 鈥� especially if you knew him before you started your relationship. It鈥檚 also about respect: not going after the same woman your friend wants, not chasing his ex, and definitely not sharing his secrets to score points with other people.

I think of bro code as an agreement that says, 鈥業鈥檝e got you, and you鈥檝e got me.鈥� It鈥檚 not about being loyal blindly; it鈥檚 about protecting your friendship and showing that you value your guy enough not to compete with him.鈥�

鈥淏ro code is about having each other鈥檚 backs no matter what鈥� 鈥� Japhet*, 30

For Japhet, the bro code isn鈥檛 some unwritten rule passed around in group chats; it鈥檚 a lifestyle of loyalty. His idea of it means protecting your guys at all costs, even when they’re wrong.

鈥淚n a few words, bro code is about protecting your bro鈥檚 interests. But there鈥檚 a lot more to it than that.

For my best friend and me, it鈥檚 mostly about covering for each other. That鈥檚 something we鈥檝e done countless times, especially when we were both dating different people. No matter what, we always made sure to have each other鈥檚 backs.

Another thing is that we never correct each other in public. Even if he鈥檚 wrong, I鈥檒l back him there and then, and we鈥檒l talk about it later in private. That鈥檚 how deep the loyalty goes.鈥�

鈥淎 bro is a bro, loyalty doesn鈥檛 expire鈥� 鈥� Hamid*, 31

For Hamid, bro code boils down to one word: loyalty. Whether or not it鈥檚 deserved doesn鈥檛 really matter. Once someone has earned the title of 鈥渂ro,鈥� the code applies even if the friendship fades over time.

鈥淏ro code means loyalty, whether or not it鈥檚 deserved. As long as there鈥檚 a bro connection, it doesn鈥檛 matter if it鈥檚 still strong or already stale. A bro is a bro.

But not everyone deserves that 鈥榟olding them accountable鈥� energy. There are levels to this bro thing. Some guys are just there 鈥� you keep them at arm鈥檚 length, and deep down, you鈥檙e just waiting for them to mess up so you can create distance.

With those kinds of people, the code is simple: never be caught talking behind them or trying to explain your side of the story to others, especially when it鈥檚 not a reconciliation talk. People know what they鈥檙e doing.

Any bro wey don fuck up will feel the distance. And if he doesn鈥檛 bother to ask what鈥檚 wrong, that means the act was deliberate.鈥�

鈥淏ro code means being there for your guy without judgement鈥� 鈥� Demola*, 35

For Demola, bro code isn鈥檛 something you recite; it鈥檚 something you live by. It鈥檚 about loyalty; showing up for your guy when it counts and keeping your lips sealed when needed.

鈥淏ro code to me means being there for your guy and not judging them. Sometimes, your guy might mess up, but instead of being the one to condemn him, you help him figure it out. You might have to keep a few secrets here and there 鈥� not the harmful kind, but the ones that protect your guy鈥檚 peace.

At the end of the day, it鈥檚 about being true to the person, being objective, and standing by them even when you don鈥檛 agree with what they did. That鈥檚 bro code to me.鈥�

鈥淚f you mess up, I won鈥檛 code anything鈥� 鈥� Deji*, 28

Deji isn鈥檛 big on the sentimental idea of bro code. For him, it鈥檚 not a sacred bond or a lifelong oath; it鈥檚 just a set of common-sense rules that keep friendships from becoming messy. He believes in loyalty, but not at the expense of accountability.

鈥淭he bro code doesn鈥檛 mean all that much to me. Doesn鈥檛 mean I don鈥檛 live by some of them, but at the core, if you mess up, I won鈥檛 code anything. I can鈥檛 defend nonsense just because we鈥檙e friends.

But since we鈥檙e on it, there are some basics I expect my guy to honour. If you see me outside with a different babe, keep quiet and mind your business. But if you see my babe with someone else, I need to know ASAP, that level of loyalty is important.

I also don鈥檛 think you should ever be caught badmouthing me to others. If I ask for help and you can assist, do what you can without making me feel small about it. And my female relatives? Off limits. The same goes for my girlfriend; you can鈥檛 even try to hit on her. My exes, too. Someone once tried that shit with me, and I cut him off immediately.

If you commit serious atrocities and tell me, I鈥檒l keep the secret. But if the matter casts publicly, best believe I鈥檒l speak against you if necessary. Bro code shouldn鈥檛 be used to defend stupidity.鈥�

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

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Jabbar* was only 12 the first time he saw people having sex. 

He lived in a face-me-I-face-you compound on Lagos Island, where curious teenagers were mostly left to their own devices. A neighbour in his mid-20s often had women over, and one afternoon Jabbar peeked through a window and saw bodies moving in ways he didn鈥檛 understand. 

Up until that point, sex education had been little more than vague warnings at home and technical diagrams in class. 鈥淚 remember staring at the diagrams of male and female reproductive organs in my Biology textbook and barely understanding them,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淓ven though everything was labelled, they told me nothing about what the organs really looked like or what the process of sex itself involved.鈥�

So, when an uncle later gifted him a Samsung touchscreen, the phone became his classroom. 鈥淚 was constantly on websites like Toxic wap and Waptrick, looking for adult content,鈥� he tells 91大神. 鈥淪ome of them had age restrictions, but how were they going to know I wasn鈥檛 18?鈥�

Jabbar clicked through hundreds of clips, mostly drawn to amateur videos because they felt closest to what he鈥檇 first seen through his neighbour鈥檚 window.

“At my peak, I watched every night,” he says, now 29. “Sometimes during the day, too, if I was alone.鈥� Jabbar told himself it was harmless, but then it began blurring his idea of real life intimacy. He struggled to approach women, and even inside relationships, he’d return to porn for the familiar feeling of easy, almost effortless, access to pleasure.

shows that most men first encounter porn in their early teens. For Nigerians who grew up in the 2000s and early 2010s, porn wasn鈥檛 hard to find. A that 72% of young people had stumbled upon porn online, often in public places like cybercaf茅s. More than 63% said they first accessed the internet between ages 15 and 19. Those early encounters didn鈥檛 just spark curiosity, for some, they set the stage for how many would later approach sex, often with unrealistic or unhealthy expectations.

Tunde*, 31, first encountered porn at 16, mixed in with music and videos a classmate shared via Bluetooth. He binged every clip. “I remember thinking, how are they doing this? And then realising my body was reacting strangely. I was having long, almost aching erections with pre-cum soiling my pants.”

From there, porn became a near-daily habit. Like Jabbar, Tunde watched every day, sometimes multiple times a day. He explored everything 鈥� straight porn, gay porn, BDSM, even extreme categories like bestiality, which he never really enjoyed, but couldn’t look away from. “It was like chasing the next thrill,” he admits. “Once one thing stopped giving me the same high, l’d try something more shocking.”

By his twenties, he knew it was a problem. He was masturbating two or three times a day, struggling to concentrate on schoolwork, and sneaking porn at home, in class, even at work. He remembers slipping away, again and again, to a farm near his parents’ house just to be alone with his phone and a clip. 

Like many men, he kept those struggles to himself. Porn isn鈥檛 something most openly talk about, even though many discovered it the same way Jabbar and Tunde did 鈥� out of curiosity, boredom, or chance 鈥� and it quickly became their first and only form of sex education. What begins as exploration, often grows into habit, and for some, a dependency they don鈥檛 admit to anyone.

Yet, the consequences seep into real life. Men who struggle with excessive porn use reshapes their relationships, leaving them feeling detached from their partners. Over time, real intimacy starts to break down: sex becomes performance, partners sense something is off, and emotional distance grows in silence.

“It made me less attracted to women at one point because I hated how they were treated in those videos,” Tunde says. “Sometimes I skip foreplay and go straight to it, until maybe I catch myself. There are times I don鈥檛 get an erection until I watch porn. There are also times I just masturbate and ignore my partner completely. Sometimes I can cuddle, kiss and everything, but not want to consummate it with sex. It varies from relationship to relationship, but porn has definitely left its mark. I鈥檝e tried to stop on religious and health grounds, but I always find myself going back.”

For others, the guilt is spiritual. In a country where faith plays a central role in daily life, porn habits clash directly with religious values. The cycle of indulgence, regret, and repentance leaves many men wrestling with a shame they can鈥檛 share, even with their closest friends.

Tobi*, 34, knows this cycle all too well. He grew up in a deeply religious home where even curiosity surrounding sex was considered a sin. 鈥淓ven mentioning masturbation or sex in passing was enough for a long lecture,鈥� he recalls. So when he stumbled on porn at 15, it felt like rebellion. But that rebellion quickly became an obsession.

By university, he was binging porn for hours, sometimes all night. He failed courses, but what weighed on him most was the guilt. 鈥淓very time I finished, I鈥檇 pray and beg God for forgiveness. It became a cycle: watch, regret, repent, repeat. And because you can鈥檛 gist your friends about porn, I carried the shame alone.鈥�

He assumed marriage would cure it. If he had a partner, he thought, the cravings would vanish. But addiction doesn鈥檛 disappear just because sex is available. The first time his wife caught him, she didn鈥檛 say anything, until later that night when she stopped midway through sex and asked, 鈥楢m I not enough?鈥� I realised I鈥檇 been living a double life: a devoted husband outside, a struggling addict inside.鈥�

Over the years, he鈥檚 tried prayer, fasting, accountability apps, even switching to monochrome devices. Nothing has stuck. He can go weeks without porn, then one stressful day pulls him back in. 

Beyond relationships and religion, the toll on one鈥檚 mental health is just as heavy. Some men report isolation, anxiety, or a warped self-image tied to their consumption. 

鈥淣obody talks about porn addiction, especially in religious circles.鈥� Tobi says. 鈥淵es, there鈥檚 the occasional preaching about how it鈥檚 a sin. But not so much helping you understand how you got to this point and how you can break free. So you just carry it like a dirty secret.鈥�

But not every man sees consistent porn consumption through a lens of shame or struggle 鈥� for some, like Segun*, 29, it鈥檚 not a moral crisis but a harmless habit.

鈥淚 watch it when I feel like it, I masturbate, and I move on,鈥� he says 鈥淪ometimes, I watch almost every day, and it has never stopped me from living my life. I did well in school, I鈥檝e dated, and I鈥檓 in a stable relationship now. My girlfriend knows I watch porn sometimes, and she doesn鈥檛 mind.鈥�

He even calls it educational. 鈥淕rowing up, nobody gave us sex education. Porn filled that gap. Maybe not perfectly, but it helped me understand my body and even talk about sex more openly. I get that for some people it鈥檚 an addiction, but that鈥檚 not how I choose to see it. I can go weeks without it. I think the real problem is how Nigerian society demonises sex in general. For me, it鈥檚 just porn, nothing more, nothing less.鈥�

While some men dismiss porn as harmless and others wrestle with shame, medical professionals are seeing the consequences of excessive consumption up close. Dr. Zainab Olayiwola, a US-based Nigerian physician, says porn addiction is 鈥渇ar more common than most men admit,鈥� often disguised as nothing more than 鈥渋nsatiable male desire.鈥�

鈥淏ut when you look closely, it鈥檚 usually rooted in deeper issues like  anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem,鈥� she explains. 鈥淥ne of the big consequences I鈥檝e seen is desensitisation. Men get so overstimulated that they can鈥檛 respond to real intimacy unless they escalate to watching more extreme or violent porn. That desensitisation doesn鈥檛 just affect their body, it affects how they see women; they objectify them.鈥�

Zainab recalls a patient who couldn鈥檛 ejaculate during sex with his wife unless he watched porn alongside her. 鈥淗e thought it was normal to ask his spouse to watch together, but what he was experiencing was porn-induced erectile dysfunction. It also affects ejaculation 鈥� making sex prolonged 鈥� and can even lower sperm quality.鈥�

And for the many Nigerian men who say porn doubled as their first sex education, she offers a mixed perspective. 鈥淵es, it鈥檚 safer than experimenting recklessly with strangers. But it rewires the brain鈥檚 reward system. It trains you to crave instant gratification, which can spill into other parts of life. That鈥檚 why porn addiction often sits side by side with impulsivity, shame, isolation, even self-hatred.鈥�

From her practice, she鈥檚 noticed that the most vulnerable group are young men between 18 and 35 鈥� the ones with easy internet access and few guardrails. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e also the age group most likely to be impulsive and to carry unrealistic expectations about sex and life,鈥� she adds.

When it comes to help, Zainab stresses that the options are there, but they require honesty and persistence. 鈥淭herapy, therapy, therapy. It鈥檚 not just about stopping porn, it鈥檚 about retraining behaviour. Cognitive behavioural therapy can teach coping strategies, but really any form of psychotherapy that tackles shame and impulsivity will help.鈥�

While doctors frame porn as a medical and psychological concern, pastors often see it as a spiritual battle. Olamide Ologbonori, a Nigerian clergyman now based in the UK, says porn is 鈥渙ne of the biggest scourges of our time,鈥� and far more men are quietly wrestling with it than the church likes to admit.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just too accessible,鈥� he explains. 鈥淵ou hear men say they first saw porn when they were eight or nine. In my own case, I was about 11. This was before smartphones or social media. I remember finding a porn VCD hidden in my barber鈥檚 drawer. I stole it out of curiosity and played it at home. That was my first exposure, and I know many millennials 鈥� and now Gen Z 鈥� have similar stories.鈥�

From his pastoral work, he believes this early exposure explains why porn feels almost 鈥渘ormalised鈥� today. But for Christians, he insists it can never be. 鈥淭he Bible doesn鈥檛 say manage it or try to resist it. It says flee. The very word 鈥榩ornography鈥� comes from porneia, which translates to sexual immorality. And 1 Corinthians 6:18 is clear: flee all sexual immorality. That means Christians aren鈥檛 empowered to manage porn; we鈥檙e empowered to run away from it.鈥�

He recalls counselling a man in his congregation who made him an 鈥渁ccountability partner鈥� through a recovery app. 鈥淗e would check in whenever he slipped, and I would encourage him to keep trying. If you did two weeks last time, let鈥檚 push for a month. That鈥檚 how we managed it. The journey isn鈥檛 easy, but walking in the spirit 鈥� prayer, studying scripture, acts of love 鈥� is what helps you replace the desire.鈥�

But his advice isn鈥檛 just spiritual; it鈥檚 practical too. He urges men to cut off triggers, whether it鈥檚 deleting apps like X (formerly Twitter), or distancing themselves from peers who normalise porn. 鈥淓ven men without faith admit it makes them feel guilty and drained afterwards,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut if you want to break free, you have to remove the triggers and fill your life with what feeds your spirit instead.鈥�

While some suggest quitting entirely, others see porn as a tool that, when used intentionally, can enhance intimacy.

Sex therapist Elizabeth Adewale has worked with men and women who found porn useful in exploring or sustaining intimacy. She remembers a client who struggled with low libido until she introduced softer forms of erotica like audio porn and erotic literature. 鈥淚t really helped boost her arousal and expand her sexual imagination. That change alone helped her reconnect with her partner,鈥� Elizabeth says.

She also describes couples who鈥檝e used porn intentionally to revive stagnant sex lives or stay connected across distance, per her recommendations. 鈥淥ne couple who had been together for years found things getting stale. Watching porn together gave them permission to laugh, experiment, and find new excitement. Another long-distance couple traded erotic videos to explore fantasies they could later try in person. It became less about porn itself and more about communication and creativity.鈥�

For her, the problem isn鈥檛 porn itself, but how people engage with it. 鈥淪ee it as entertainment, not education,鈥� she says. 鈥淎ctors are performing with enhancements, editing, and unrealistic scenarios. If you try to measure your body or performance against that, you鈥檒l hurt your confidence. But if you use it intentionally, it can spark conversations or fantasies without dictating your reality.鈥�

She encourages men to choose ethical platforms, set personal boundaries, and, where possible, remove secrecy. That also means being intentional about frequency. 鈥淒ecide when and how often you want to watch it, don鈥檛 let it take over your life,鈥� she advises. 鈥淚f you have a partner, be open about it instead of hiding it. You can even watch together if you鈥檙e both comfortable. The goal is to approach porn with honesty, balance, and intentionality rather than shame or secrecy.鈥�

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the subjects.

But this is not to say that a good suit or trad won’t still bang and win you all the compliments if it鈥檚 done just right. There are tricks to these things, way more than restricting the sleeves of your agbada or kaftan at three quatres or grabbing a well-drycleaned suit.

The trends all the fashion lords are rocking on the 鈥榞ram and off anyways have almost nothing to do with those kinds of looks. See them below:

Tie-dye

One would expect this trend to have gone out of style months later. But the most stylish men seem unable to let it go just yet, and there are many ways they are styling it. Tie-dye prints are now being rocked as bottoms over bright coloured Cuban shirts or even as a two-piece set.

Tic Tac print

Tic-tac prints have been blowing up on Instagram all year round. Whether it鈥檚 trousers, shirts, or jalabia that you can lay your hand on, tic-tac prints are definitely the fashion item that will take your style from zero to a hundred this month. The super stylish men have been rocking them on a casual day to the office and church.

Aso-oke

The aso oke trend has long been a staple in the female quatres. But thanks to many local fashion brands, the traditional weave material has been democratised. These days, there are aso-oke varsity jackets, suits, and slacks. You just need to find the right brand and the right piece for you.

Jorts

This OG fashion staple has returned. Nigerian men just seem unable to get over their jorts. But the look this time isn鈥檛 as ill-fitting as it once was, and the length is also closer to the knee. 

Two-piece shorts

Two-piece shirts have gradually become a staple rotation item for many stylish Nigerian men. For a casual breeze into the office on Wednesday, this is a perfect look. It鈥檚 also great for a weekend getaway.

ALSO READ: Naija Boys With the Hardest Steeze on the Internet

After that conversation, I knew I had to cover men鈥檚 hygiene for men鈥檚 health awareness month. The boys are out here neglecting the hygiene of their reproductive organs. If you鈥檝e got a penis and balls, here鈥檚 a guide on how to keep them in tip-top shape.

Wash up

Don鈥檛 just splash water on your phallus and jump out of the bathroom. Dedicate some time to gently washing the nooks and crannies. Get all that build-up of sweat and urine out of the way with water and mild soap.

Pat it dry after every bath

Ever pulled off your boxers after a long day and shuddered at the smell that hit your nostrils? It鈥檚 probably because you didn鈥檛 clean up properly after bathing. It鈥檚 super important you pat everywhere dry. Personally, I spread out in front of a standing fan for a few minutes before putting on underwear.

Rinse off after every pee

This is a common practice among Muslim men, but everyone should do it. After every pee, shake your junk to get all the excess urine out and rinse off with water. This is the easiest way to avoid smelling off and having urine stains on your underwear.

Shave

Listen, I鈥檝e never known a time when it was cool to leave a clump of pubic hair hovering over your dick. Grab a tube of hair removal cream and scrape that stuff off. A low trim is preferable since hair also prevents against STIs. If you can, reach for the hair around the anus too. I hear some barbers offer this as a service.

Don鈥檛 repeat boxers

Many men are guilty of repeating underwear. That鈥檚 bad business for your odogwu and sons, bro. The ideal thing to do is wash your boxers after every use and wear a fresh pair daily.

Stick to cotton boxers

Yes, you prefer spandex boxers and hot pants because they help you hide random erections in public. But do you know they may be doing more harm than good because they trap air? Cotton underwear does a better job at keeping the air circulating down there. Basically, they let the balls breathe.

Avoid hot water

I know you鈥檙e tempted to bathe with piping hot water when it鈥檚 cold, but that鈥檚 bad business for your penis and balls. Hot water can cause irritation. Also, since the testicles need to be cooler than body temperature to function properly, hot water can overheat them and affect sperm production.

Clean the foreskin

Not all men have a foreskin, but if you鈥檝e got one, you鈥檒l need to raise it up and clean it properly whenever you bathe. Smegma鈥攁 thick, cheesy-looking secretion鈥攂uilds up under the foreskin when left unwashed. The smell is unpleasant, and if it鈥檚 left unattended, it can also cause redness, itching, and swelling.

Powder it up

Things get real messy down there during the hot season. Air gets trapped in your cotton underwear, and all that sweat makes it annoyingly sticky. One way out? Apply a generous dab of powder in the corners of your private parts. It keeps the moisture in check and helps you feel dry.

Always look in the mirror

Yup, you should always have routine checks where you grab a mirror and see what鈥檚 going on down there. Look out for bumps on your ball sack and groin area. If anything looks off, go to the hospital ASAP.

Read this next: 7 Nigerian Men Confess Their Biggest Big Dick Struggles

The legendary 8-in-1 body wash

Nigerian men would rather save the money and energy required to own and apply eight different products to have one magic bottle to do it all.

Pink lip balm

We all know pink lips are synonymous with looking good in Nigeria. Apart from the confidence boost from your fellow men when they say, 鈥淪ee as you fresh, guy,鈥� women find it attractive. It’s a win-win situation.

Petroleum jelly

This is basically the 8-in-1 body wash for skincare. Name a better all-rounder. It can replace hair cream, body cream AND lip balm, and that’s why it’s a winner for Nigerian men. 

Perfume oil

Nigerian men and their perfume oil? They love their appearances, but when they smell better than their good looks, they reach their final forms.

Beard oil

Grooming is all that differentiates an unkempt man from a member of the beard gang. Buy a man some beard oil today, and he鈥檒l rub it up and want to step out in a second. Why? Fresh beard, new flex.

Shaving stick

If there’s an inanimate object that Nigerian men have an intimate relationship with, it’s shaving sticks. When they need a quick shave for an impromptu outing, or they鈥檙e expecting a sneaky link, it delivers faster than their barbers. But it has to be a good one, like BIC Flex 2, for extra smoothness.

Guess who has decided to pave the way for Nigerian men in the grooming and self-care space? Read more about how BIC Encourages Self-Care and Confidence in Nigerian Men.

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, has recently launched its innovative grooming product for men in Nigeria. Flex 2 comes to the market after its tremendous success in various areas globally and in the region. The newly launched product aims to equip men with the necessary tools to embrace their individuality and be confident in their own skin.

Joining a line of optimal products in BIC鈥檚 Blade Excellence category, Flex 2 is crafted with precision and sophistication to deliver a smooth, seamless shave for today鈥檚 man. The dual, open blade design ensures easy rinsing and hygienic shaving with every use. The shaver’s pivoting head adapts seamlessly to the unique contours of each face, delivering a flawlessly smooth and comfortable shave. Flex 2 is enriched with a refreshing essence of aloe vera and vitamin C, nourishing the skin with each stroke.

Speaking on the product鈥檚 launch, Adeyemi Ojo, Head of Business Development at BIC Nigeria said: 鈥淲e are committed to delivering innovation to our consumers, living up to our vision of bringing simplicity and joy to everyday life. Our newly launched Flex 2 shaver elevates men鈥檚 shaving experience, while promoting self-confidence. We thrive to continuously bring the best to our consumers and are confident that Flex 2 will gain popularity in the Nigerian market.鈥�

In Nigeria, Flex 2 shavers will be available at retail outlets across the country, sold at NGN 500 (pouch 1) and NGN 1,500 (pouch 3). BIC鈥檚 Blade Excellence category hosts a diverse range of products from one to five blades, serving consumers of all ages and genders. To view BIC鈥檚 full Blade Excellence range, .

It鈥檚 a few weeks to Valentine鈥檚 Day and while the relationship people are prepping to steal the show again, it鈥檚 important to note that we’ve got fathers and sons, brothers and buddies, and a whole squad of men who deserve to celebrate their bromance on this day too.

I caught up with seven Nigerian men to hear their thoughts on being there for their fellow dudes on the iconic lovers鈥� day.

From the big bro who paid for his sibling鈥檚 cinema date to the dude planning to send an anonymous box to his heartbroken cousin, their stories will have you in varying degrees of 鈥淕od when?鈥�

Dewunmi *, 31

My elder brother would always buy gifts for my mum on Valentine鈥檚 Day. Started right when we were in secondary school. He鈥檇 save up his pocket money during the weeks leading up to the 14th. It was really cute. Fast forward to when he got into uni and got more pocket money, he started including me in his plans. He鈥檇 buy chocolates, perfumes or food for me and my mum on Valentine鈥檚 Day. It went on for some time until it just stopped. I mean, he still buys stuff for both of us, but he doesn鈥檛 put as much importance on Valentine鈥檚 Day anymore.

Jason*, 25

My cousin just got served breakfast, and I know he鈥檚 hurting even though he鈥檚 trying not to show it. He鈥檇 been with his ex for about three years, and I honestly thought he鈥檇 propose soon, but I guess life happens. I鈥檝e watched him celebrate Valentine鈥檚 with her in the last three years, so I鈥檝e just been wondering what the day will look like this year. Thankfully, it鈥檚 a work day and that might help him get his mind off things, but I also want to do something nice for him. I鈥檓 thinking dinner at one of these fancy spots on the Island, or I might just send him an anonymous gift box with a hidden love letter. LMAO. 

Hassan*, 24

I have a WhatsApp group just to keep in touch with some of my friends and be there for each other. We鈥檝e had a lot of wholesome conversations about toxic masculinity and how we should be able to do more for each other as bros. Last Valentine鈥檚, we did a simple exercise in the group where we all sent voice notes saying nice things about each other. We plan to hang out this year sha, but if that鈥檚 not possible, we鈥檒l send each other gifts.

Deji*, 29

Our last born started dating in January 2023. Since then, I鈥檝e always thought to myself 鈥淲here this boy dey see money to fund relationship?鈥澨� But I assumed his girlfriend understood his finances before saying yes. A few weeks to Valentine鈥檚 in 2023, I noticed little man was constantly in a mood around the house. He was also coming up with the weirdest money requests for things he had to pay for in school. It didn鈥檛 take long to figure out that he was trying to fleece us. So, I confronted him and gave him a pep talk before asking what he needed money for. He then said he wanted to do something for his GF for Valentine鈥檚 Day. It wasn鈥檛 like I didn鈥檛 know; I just wanted him to be free enough to ask. Two days to Val鈥檚 Day, I sent him 鈧�15k for a cinema date. I鈥檓 guessing he鈥檚 saved up enough for this year, but I still plan to send 鈧�15k. He doesn鈥檛 know this sha.

Tunde*, 40

My birthday is February 14, and it has added some colour to how I approach the date. Growing up, I didn鈥檛 make a fuss about my birthday. I was the kid who wanted to stay indoors and enjoy all the good treats with my family. This changed when I got into uni. My friends found it a little too exciting that my birthday falls on Valentine鈥檚 Day, so they always made me do something. Even when I tell them I don鈥檛 have money, they鈥檇 readily contribute and make sure we celebrate. So the tradition sort of stayed with me from uni. Now, my friends know that if every other thing fails on February 14, they can always show up for whatever Tunde* is doing for his birthday. And that鈥檚 the main reason why I now anticipate the day. Lots of brotherly love to go around.

Dapo*, 30

My dad celebrates me and my brothers every Valentine鈥檚 Day. It鈥檚 one of those things he does that makes me want to be a great dad too. I remember him taking my mum, my siblings and me out every Valentine鈥檚 Day when we were young. When it fell on a weekday, we missed school. It took me a while to stop seeing February 14 as another public holiday. Now that we鈥檙e all older, and some of my siblings are married, we don鈥檛 celebrate Valentine鈥檚 Day as a family anymore. But one thing I know we鈥檒l always get every February 14th is a text message from my dad saying how much he loves us.

Jerry*, 25

I moved in with my uncle after he lost his wife last year. His kids are abroad, so it鈥檚 only him in the house most of the time. I always get the sense that he feels lonely, especially during festive periods. He鈥檚 not the type that goes out a lot; he just stays in his study, reading books and newspapers. I wish I could take him out on Val鈥檚 Day, but it鈥檚 a work day and I鈥檓 not sure I鈥檒l have the time. I鈥檒l probably buy something nice for him. Would be nice for him to know someone cares.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Men on Planning Secret Valentine鈥檚 Day Treats for the Women in Their Lives

Looking for inspiration from stylish Nigerian men to step up your own game? These are the guys to check out.

Teezee

As one of the founding fathers of Alt茅 music, it isn’t hard to link ‘s fashion style to the culture. He鈥檚 not your regular music and record label executive. You’ll only ever catch him in street or athleisure wear, casual clothes or adire pants for that Nigerian flavour.

Alani Gram

is almost always in Yoruba trad, but some days, it’s hats, suits and other comfortable clothes. Still he looks like everyday is summer to him. He recently launched 鈥� a unisex fashion brand making vintage Yor霉b谩 prints and patterns into the coolest designs and wears. You can be stylishly different like Alani. Do it for the culture and carry on tradition.

Feedy

One of the few guys who rock jerseys better than football players is . Football jerseys have broken into the fashion industry, but many folks haven鈥檛 caught on yet. Learn from Feedy AKA TheFeedbackBoy, who rocks football jerseys of all kind, from retro to classic. He鈥檚 so cool, he styles the current reigning video director, TG Omori. Feedy鈥檚 style community, , is focused on showcasing, selling and promoting vintage soccer jersey products.

TG Omori

Speaking of, if you follow on any of his social accounts, it’s clear to see why he’s one of the most fashionable young men in Nigeria today. Unique sunglasses, cool tops and unusual shoe choices are major components of his style, but he’s also unpredictable.  Aside from his spectacular locs and gold grills, TG’s thick moustache makes him look even more stylish. Everything about him screams, “I’m so cool.” 

Walter Banks

AKA Wacko is a photographer and creative director who’s worked with many Afrobeats A-listers, and his eye for fashionable AF looks is A1. His style hangs between street fashion and Alt茅.

Faraz

Nothing overboard with 鈥檚 steeze but lots of iconic European street and rare Asian fashion releases. He knows how to throw all the simple clothes together and make runway swag out of it. He may appear like a Korean mountain climber on some days, but kids and adults can take inspiration from him any day.

Dwin, the Stoic

wears silky tunics and suits, large clothes only Japanese warlords would wear, fascinating gold earrings and rings like Shabba Ranks. He鈥檚 very much royal and relaxed with his style. Out of ten folks, you’d hardly find two who dress like him. 

Ejirhogene

If you want the why-couldn’t-I-think-of-those type of looks in your wardrobe, is who to follow. His style creatively crosses cultures and puts different clothings together to make unique outfits. This guy can rock agbada, durag and school sandals and still be the best dressed in the room. His finesse peaks with cool and unique colour combinations and accessory collections.

READ: The Fashion It-Girls of Naija to Be Inspired By

But in senior secondary school, I鈥檇 learn 鈥� in the harshest way possible 鈥� of the connections drawn between a man鈥檚 sexuality and sitting posture. Comments like 鈥淲hy is this one sitting like a girl?鈥� from female classmates, and 鈥淪eat properly鈥� from teachers instilling their version of Nigerian etiquette, would eventually force a consciousness on me when I was about to cross my legs in public.

A recent encounter confronted me with old, unpleasant memories and led me on a short quest to learn about the experiences of other men.

Faith*

About two weeks ago, I was at the reception area of a telco experience centre when a security lady approached me. She said something about moving to the next seat, but I also heard her make a snide remark about the way I sat. For context, I wore a pair of shorts way above knee level, and crossed my legs so that a large portion of my thighs were on display. I wasn鈥檛 going to let it go, so I responded and told her cross-legging isn鈥檛 for women only. She saw that I was visibly irritated and had a quick change of tone. According to her, she didn鈥檛 mean it that way and was only worried the content of my pockets would fall off. I let it go, but that鈥檚 one of many such experiences.

Dave*

It was during NYSC on a Thursday (CDS). Our meeting was ongoing, but there I was bored and tired, so I crossed my legs. One of my colleagues said she noticed I did that a lot. She went on to say, 鈥淚t’s very womanly, and the fact that you look like a girl doesn’t help you either.鈥� I laughed and explained to her that I have a weak left knee from an accident I sustained at 13, so I can’t sit too long without wanting to place my left leg on the right to rest a bit.

Ibrahim*

I had my university education in Osun state, and the culture shock was one for the books. Prior to school, I鈥檇 lived in Lagos my whole life, and in my house, crossing your legs was in fact a sign of affluence. I remember my mum making statements like 鈥淲o bo se cross-leg bi olowo鈥� (see the way you crossed your legs like a rich man), and that was all there was to it. But I was in for a rude shock when I resumed school in 100 level. These Muslim sisters in my level would make side comments and laugh whenever they saw me sit with crossed legs. I didn鈥檛 think of it until one of them approached me and asked why I crossed my legs like a woman. I wasn鈥檛 sure I heard well, so I asked what she meant. This girl took her time to explain that crossing my legs makes me look feminine, especially because I also wore skinny jeans. I laughed it off and just walked away. Now that I think of it, that experience made me more conscious of crossing my legs. Sometimes, I scan the room to see if other men are crossing their legs before I do the same. That way, I won鈥檛 be singled out.

David Nkem

I cross my legs so much that I sometimes begin to wonder if I can sit without doing so. A woman once warned me to stop crossing my legs so I wouldn鈥檛 become impotent. According to her, crossing my legs brings negative energy to my balls. To date, I don’t know what she meant. My mum also used to bother, but she doesn’t care anymore. A coworker recently reported me to 鈥渢he cartel鈥� at work. They called me for a meeting to say, 鈥淢en don’t cross their legs when they sit.鈥� But I feel comfortable and no longer give a fuck about it to be honest.

Dave*

I鈥檝e found that in Nigeria, your sexuality will be questioned for so many flimsy reasons. From how you talk, walk and dress to how you cross your legs. People raise their eyebrows when you look eccentric or out of place. As someone whose sexuality has been questioned, I tend to be self-conscious. So, I self-check whenever I’m out in public. I don’t cross my legs. If you’re my friend, and you love crossing your legs, I might raise my eyebrows 鈥� before the Nigerian “sexuality FBI” extends their questions to me.

Gbenro*

I鈥檓 a banker. I wear suits a lot and sitting cross-legged is the best posture if you want to appear like the classic magazine models. At conferences or business meetings, once I settle into that chair, the next line of action is to cross my legs, except there鈥檚 no room to do so. At a work conference some weeks ago, I was trying to create extra room to cross my legs, and this female colleague goes, 鈥淣a wa o. You no fit sit down normally?鈥� I didn鈥檛 even have to respond before another colleague jumped in asking how it鈥檚 her business. I knew the lady had been pining to say something about the way I sit for so long because she always made side comments. That day, I鈥檇 planned to give her a full dressing down.

James*

Nobody don question my sexuality based on leg crossing sha. I think it’s based on people’s background or environment during their formative period. It has nothing to do with sexuality or anything. Some people are just more comfortable crossing their legs while seated, either male or female. However, I have always felt weird standing akimbo. I always feel it is feminine, and I don’t know why. That’s just me digressing.