A renowned gynaecologist at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Professor Abiodun Akanbi Gafar Jimoh, has raised serious concerns over the increasing rates of male infertility in Nigeria, advising young men against postponing marriage until they acquire wealth.
Speaking while delivering the 17th Faculty Lecture of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences at the university, themed “The Male Factor in Infertility: A Global Scourge — The Underestimated and Unmitigated Catastrophe of Our Time”, the gynaecologist noted that age-related decline in male fertility is becoming a public health concern.
Professor Jimoh warned that clinical experience and current research have confirmed a global rise in male infertility, with Nigeria recording alarming trends.
He stressed that male infertility is worsening day by day and advised that fertility should be considered a shared responsibility between partners in a relationship.
While pointing out that a man’s previous ability to father children does not necessarily mean he remains fertile, particularly if issues arise in subsequent relationships, the gynaecologic endocrinologist urged men to undergo medical evaluation whenever infertility is suspected, rather than assuming the problem lies with the woman.
Commenting on suspected infertility in a polygamous setting, the expert cautioned that it is incorrect to presume that the younger wife is at fault for not conceiving if the older wives have borne children.
In such cases, he recommended that both partners undergo clinical assessment by a qualified gynaecologist for accurate diagnosis and guidance.
Professor Jimoh expressed concern over the increasing cases of erectile dysfunction being diagnosed in men as young as 25 years old.
He identified this condition as a critical contributor to male infertility and lamented that many men avoid seeking medical or psychological help due to societal expectations and the misconception that infertility is exclusively a female problem.
According to the healthcare practitioner, Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest male infertility rates globally.
He attributed the trend to a combination of poverty, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and environmental factors.
While reporting findings from a recent study conducted in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Professor Jimoh noted that male-factor infertility at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and affiliated clinics is characterised by severe abnormalities in sperm production, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances.
He said that the study, which reviewed 456 men who attended the hospital’s STD/infertility clinic, found that 23.7% had no sperm in their semen, while 45.3% had a low sperm count. Among the cases studied, 34.8% involved primary infertility, with the remaining 65.2% classified as secondary infertility, occurring after at least one prior conception.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, commended the Faculty of Clinical Sciences for its consistency in sustaining the Faculty Lecture Series over the years.
He acknowledged the value of such academic traditions in fostering intellectual discourse, advancing medical knowledge, and contributing to national development through evidence-based dialogue.
Commenting on the importance of the theme of the 17th Faculty Lecture, the Vice-Chancellor described the topic as timely and relevant, especially in light of emerging global health data indicating a steady rise in male infertility across diverse populations.
Professor Egbewole noted that the lecture’s theme serves as a wake-up call to both the academic and public health communities, urging a shift in attention to an often-overlooked dimension of reproductive health.
According to him, the traditional emphasis on female infertility has overshadowed the equally significant contributions of male factors, leading to an incomplete understanding of the issue and ineffective interventions.
He warned that continued neglect of male infertility not only perpetuates stigma and misinformation but also poses long-term demographic and psychological consequences.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the university to supporting research, public health advocacy, and community engagement on critical issues affecting the health and well-being of Nigerians.
He encouraged scholars and health professionals to continue exploring underreported areas like male infertility in order to drive policy change and improve healthcare outcomes.
In his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Lukman Abdur-Rahman, noted that the Faculty Lecture tradition continues to serve as a platform for intellectual exchange, academic excellence, and community impact.
He noted that while the faculty was unable to maintain the conventional quarterly schedule due to prevailing economic and academic constraints, it had deliberately decided to integrate other valuable programmes that enrich academic pursuits and reinforce relevance in the larger society.
Professor Lukman added that individuals should take opportunities provided by Faculty Lectures and other invited talks to interrogate academic prowess, scientific inquisitiveness, and clinical judgments to propel innovative initiatives that would advance the frontiers of knowledge.
The Dean emphasised that it is through such intellectual engagements that research progresses and collective contributions to healthcare are strengthened.
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