Prostitutes Lagos

I visited Lagos about a week ago. While there, people repeatedly mistook me for a prostitute. It was an unsettling experience. This misunderstanding connects to Lagos’s complex relationship with sex work. The city has visible red-light districts. Areas like Allen Avenue in Ikeja are known hotspots. A 1980 sociomedical study by Oleru highlighted this issue. It remains relevant today. Sex work in Lagos isn’t new. Historical records show prostitution flourished in colonial times. Studies note an influx of sex workers into cities like Lagos and Accra between the 1930s and 1950s. Colonial officials even appointed people to control child prostitution. Research continues, examining the politics and socio-medical aspects.

Socioeconomic Drivers and Terminology

Many enter sex work out of necessity. Reports link it to poverty and hardship. Teenage schoolgirls sometimes turn to it. A Lagos trader explained terms like Runs girls or Olosho (Yoruba for prostitute). These reflect different levels within the trade. Economic surveys even estimate Lagos men spent significant sums on sex workers.

Health Risks and Violence

Health risks are a major concern. Studies point to high HIV rates among sex workers in Lagos slums. Male clients of brothel workers can act as a bridge for HIV transmission. Drug use and criminal behavior among female sex workers are also documented problems. The work is dangerous. Sex workers face violence and exploitation. News reports tell grim stories. One sex worker was allegedly burned alive by a customer.

Legal Crackdowns and Activism

Police crackdowns are common. Officers parade and arrest suspected prostitutes. Sentences can include prison time. In one case, twelve were jailed for eight months. Despite risks, sex work persists. Nigerian prostitutes have protested in Lagos streets. They demand rights and decriminalization. Activists like Patoo Abraham have led these efforts. They argue decriminalization would offer protection from crime and exploitation. An association for Lagos prostitutes even exists. Efforts to help exist. NGOs aim to empower sex workers with alternative skills. However, the trade remains deeply embedded in parts of Lagos life. From poolside hotels to specific streets, sex workers solicit clients. Brothels operate, sometimes staffed by students. The debate continues on how to address the realities of prostitution in this vast city.

*TAGS* – colonial prostitution records, Olosho terminology, sex worker decriminalization protests