Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever lived in Lagos, taken a danfo, trekked through Oshodi, or just mind your business on the sidewalk, you’ve probably dodged at least one half-naked man shouting at traffic, fighting an invisible enemy, or arguing with a streetlight.
What you probably didn’t notice was a woman doing the same.
So, the question remains — and on World Mental Health Day, no better time to ask it: Why does it look like Lagos has more mad men than mad women?
Let’s investigate.
Meet Brother Tunde — Former Banker, Now Street Pastor
Once upon a Monday morning, Brother Tunde wore suit and tie, carried briefcase, and shouted “bullish market!” in Victoria Island.
Fast forward 3 years, he’s barefoot in CMS, preaching to a crowd of uninterested pigeons. What happened?
Simple, Lagos happened.
One failed investment, two heartbreaks, NEPA cut light during Chelsea vs Arsenal, and next thing — Tunde checked out mentally, but Lagos kept moving.
Nigerian Men And The “Suffer and Smile” Olympics
From a young age, Nigerian boys are told:
* “Man up.”
* “Don’t cry.”
* “You’re the head of the house.”
No pressure, right? Just carry your entire family, extended relatives, and 3 exes on your head like gala.
Men are taught to die in silence. Meanwhile, women will cry, call their friend, post heartbreak quotes on WhatsApp, attend vigil, drink zobo, heal.
Men? They bottle it up, marinate it with ego, and one day — BOOM. He’s wearing a nylon bag as raincoat and shouting “I’m the original Jesus” in Ojuelegba.
Women Are Also Mad — Just Classy About It
Let’s not pretend women are fine o. Madness dey, but it’s just… rebranded.
Instead of fighting transformer, a mad woman in Lagos might:
* Open 32 businesses in one week.
* Date 4 men named “Kingsley” at once.
* Cry, then post “soft life only” with filter.
You think it’s normal to buy a BBL on loan? My brother, na packaging madness.
Drug And Lagos Don’t Mix
Men in Lagos are more likely to “cool off” with loud, codeine, Colorado, monkey tail, or whatever is trending on the streets this week.
By the time substance abuse and joblessness combine, what you get is “Area Prophet” — half motivational speaker, half philosopher, full-blown unstable.
Meanwhile, many women avoid drugs due to social stigma — or they just channel their pain into gospel TikToks and cooking reels.
Lagos Itself Is A Mental Illness
Lagos is the only place where:
* The sun is angry.
* The traffic is a demon.
* People insult you for not having change.
* The cost of living is high, but your salary is on sabbatical.
Now imagine you’re a man, expected to provide, protect, and pretend to be fine. That’s how madness starts. Slowly. Gradually. Publicly.
The Madness Nobody Talks About
Let’s not lie — society gives women more emotional support. Churches have women fellowships, support groups, sisterhoods.
Men? Nothing. You lose your job? “Be a man.”
You get dumped? “Go gym.”
You cry? “Guy wipe your face abeg.”
Before you know it, you’re outside Iyana-Ipaja shouting “Nigerians don’t understand quantum physics!”
Check on the Men Around You
This World Mental Health Day, let’s check on our brothers, boyfriends, bus conductors, and that one guy who hasn’t shaved since February.
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Because truth is, some people are one heartbreak or one traffic jam away from using agbada as blanket under Obalende bridge.
Mental health is real. Therapy is not a sin. And if your guy says “I’m fine,” look deep into his eyes. If he starts quoting Tupac and it’s 6am — take his phone and call his mother.
