A Perspective on the Occupational Health, Therapy, and Safety of Sex Workers in Nigeria

Abstract

This article focuses on human rights challenges, and while it is not meant for an endorsement of prostitution, it expresses concern that sex work in Nigeria exists within a fraught legal, cultural, and health landscape. Although these activities contribute significantly to the informal economy, sex workers remain among the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the country. This paper examines the occupational health, 
therapy, and safety of sex workers in Nigeria, focusing on risks related to physical health, mental health, violence, social exclusion, and a lack of institutional protection. With an emphasis on empirical evidence from Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, the paper analyzes how the criminalization of sex work, combined with entrenched societal stigma, systematically denies sex workers access to essential health services, psychological support, and labor rights. Sex workers in Nigeria experience disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, in part due to inconsistent condom use, limited access to healthcare, and exploitation by clients and law enforcement agents. Mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are common, exacerbated by social isolation, police harassment, and a lack of therapeutic services. Community-based interventions, like those by the Nigerian Sex Workers Alliance (NSWA), offer important harm-reduction frameworks, yet lack broad policy backing.This article recommends a harm reduction approach, decriminalization of consensual adult sex work, and the integration of occupational health principles into public health and labor strategies. By safeguarding the rights and health of sex workers, Nigeria can move toward a more inclusive and equitable health system.