As the world marks Men’s Mental Health Month, conversations on what it means to be a man, father and provider in Nigeria are becoming harder to ignore.
And right towards the end of the month is Father’s Day, which was celebrated worldwide on Sunday.
Nigeria Info talked to fathers and young men who spoke openly about stress, money worries, family responsibilities and the pressure to stay strong even when life feels overwhelming.
For many of them, the message was simple: men are carrying a lot, but not always talking about it.
One father described raising children in today’s Nigeria as “not very funny,” saying insecurity and economic pressure have changed daily life.
He said hearing reports of school kidnappings and dealing with personal experiences of burglary had increased worry at home.
“You want something better for the children,” he said, “but when you look at how much is coming at the end of the month, you need to rethink.”
Another father said many parents still feel uncertain even in relatively safe parts of Lagos.
“You are not too sure of what tomorrow holds,” he said. “Dropping the children off at school, picking them up, you are not just sure about the environment.”
The men acknowledged the importance of mental health campaigns but stressed that many fathers do not feel they have enough time or money to focus on themselves.
One man said fathers’ well-being often becomes the last priority at home while supporting their wives, children, and extended family.
Others said the pressure begins before fatherhood.
Some young men said society expects men to provide financially while staying emotionally controlled.
“You cannot die in silence,” said one person, insisting that communities often forget that men need affection and support.
“Young men deserve to express themselves and be loved and seen the way they want.”
Another said many young men feel trapped between expectations and economic realities.
But alongside the stories of pressure came a mother's view: fathers also need recognition and support.
Our sole female respondent said Father’s Day should be dedicated to celebrating intentional, caring men who are present in family life.
“A father figure in every home is very essential,” she said, adding that beyond providing financially, fathers often help create order, guidance and emotional stability for children.
She also argued that fatherhood is not automatic and that relationships matter.
According to her, mothers and partners can help men grow into fatherhood by showing respect, encouragement, and treating parenting as a shared responsibility rather than leaving men to carry expectations alone.
All of this does not mean that men have failed to build and nurture support systems that help them cope with everyday living.
Family time, faith, friendships, and open conversations top the list of stress-relieving mechanisms.
Health experts have increasingly called for more open conversations around men’s emotional well-being.
Men’s Mental Health Month, observed each June in many countries, aims to raise awareness about challenges men face in seeking help and expressing emotions.
The issue is global.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, and most of those deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO also says mental health services remain underfunded in many parts of the world, with mental health receiving only about 2% of health budgets globally.
Nigeria has expanded attention to mental health in recent years through implementation of the country’s Mental Health Act and growing public awareness efforts, although advocates say access to affordable care and public education still needs improvement.
For the men in these interviews, however, the conversation begins closer to home: celebrating fathers, listening to men and remembering that strength and support do not have to compete.
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