Lagos Men Spent N661 Billion on Commercial Sex in 2024, Survey Reveals
Table of Contents
- 1. Lagos Men Spent N661 Billion on Commercial Sex in 2024, Survey Reveals
- 2. Key Findings of the Lagos Sex Industry Survey
- 3. Transactional Sex Statistics in Lagos
- 4. Eti-Osa: The Epicenter of High-Priced Transactions
- 5. How Sex Workers Allocate their income
- 6. Associated Costs: Entertainment, Gifts, and More
- 7. Economic Implications and Future Outlook
- 8. What are the potential policy interventions that could be implemented to channel the N661 billion spent on commercial sex in Lagos into more productive sectors?
- 9. Lagos Sex Industry: An Interview with Economist Dr. Ada Okafor on the N661 Billion Market
- 10. Insights on the Lagos Sex Industry Survey
- 11. Breaking Down the expenditure: Runs Girls and Associated Costs
- 12. Eti-Osa: The Epicenter for High-Priced Commercial Sex
- 13. Allocation of Income by Sex Workers
- 14. Economic Implications and future Considerations
A new survey indicates that Lagos State’s commercial sex industry saw an expenditure of approximately N661 billion in 2024. The funds were spent as men sought to engage the services of commercial sex workers.
Key Findings of the Lagos Sex Industry Survey
the survey aimed to assess the economic impact of commercial sex work, its market value, and the principal stakeholders involved.Key findings include:
- Total expenditure in 2024: N661 billion
- Direct payments to sex workers: N329 billion
- Associated costs (entertainment, gifts, etc.): N332 billion
Transactional Sex Statistics in Lagos
The statistical analysis of the survey, which was conducted across 20 local government areas in Lagos, offers some insights:
- Out of 3.1 million sexually active men aged 20-69, 1.86 million engaged in transactional sex with non-partners.
- Average rate charged by sex workers: N36,750.
- Lowest rate reported: N20,000.
Eti-Osa: The Epicenter of High-Priced Transactions
Eti-Osa Local Government, which includes affluent neighborhoods such as Ikoyi, Victoria island, and Lekki, reported the highest prices for transactional sex, reaching up to N100,000. This reflects the area’s concentration of wealth and business activity. Surulere,Kosofe,Alimosho,and Oshodi-Isolo followed Eti-Osa in terms of expensive transactional sex.
How Sex Workers Allocate their income
The survey further breaks down how the N329 billion received by sex workers was allocated:
- Body and Skin Maintenance: N93 billion was spent on “body and skin maintenance products, including natural hair.”
- Family Support: N62.5 billion was used for financial support to families.
- Lifestyle Expenses: An additional N62.5 billion was spent on “clothing, accessories, rent, car and e-hailing, fitness and healthy living.”
- Investments: N46 billion was invested in businesses, including “crypto, trading, forex, and betting.”
- Health and Education: N15 billion was spent on healthcare and a similar amount on education, covering expenses such as “antibiotics, supplements, STD treatment, check ups, Bachelor’s program, coursework, project writers, and settlements.”
Associated Costs: Entertainment, Gifts, and More
Along with the direct payments to sex workers, Lagos men spent N332 billion on associated costs. “Entertainment, food and hospitality” accounted for N150.6 billion.According to the survey, “Gifts, ranging from souvenirs and other simple consumables from ‘loyal’ and repeat customers to expense-paid trips, vacations, cars, and luxury items in the more premium segments, represented the top single category of these other costs.”
Furthermore, “drugs, sexual enhancers, stimulators and sex accessories also enjoyed a combined N33.4 billion in the time period,” the report stated.
Economic Implications and Future Outlook
The N661 billion expenditure offers a glimpse into the scale of the commercial sex industry in Lagos, and the economic activity that surrounds it. Understanding these financial flows can help inform public health policies, economic planning, and social services initiatives. While the survey provides valuable data from 2024, future research will be needed to track any changes to these trends.
The survey shows that significant amount of money is being spent and if focused into other productive areas could help boost development.
What are the potential policy interventions that could be implemented to channel the N661 billion spent on commercial sex in Lagos into more productive sectors?
Lagos Sex Industry: An Interview with Economist Dr. Ada Okafor on the N661 Billion Market
We sat down with Dr.Ada Okafor, a leading economist specializing in urban advancement and informal markets, to discuss the recent survey highlighting the N661 billion spent on commercial sex in Lagos State in 2024.
Insights on the Lagos Sex Industry Survey
Archyde: Dr. Okafor, thank you for joining us. The survey results are quite striking. N661 billion spent in Lagos on commercial sex. What was your initial reaction?
Dr. Okafor: My pleasure. while the figure is substantial, it highlights the meaningful economic activity within this sector. as an economist, I look at this as a flow of funds, revealing spending patterns, income generation, and ultimately, its impact on other industries.
Breaking Down the expenditure: Runs Girls and Associated Costs
Archyde: The survey breaks down the expenditure, with N329 billion going directly to sex workers and N332 billion on associated costs like entertainment and gifts. What does this division tells us?
Dr.Okafor: The near equal split between direct payments and associated costs is revealing. It suggests a layered industry, where the experience goes beyond the transactional act itself. The N332 billion indicates a significant market for entertainment, hospitality, and even luxury goods, all fueled by this sector.
Eti-Osa: The Epicenter for High-Priced Commercial Sex
Archyde: Eti-Osa, including areas like Ikoyi and Lekki, reported the highest prices for transactional sex.why is this area the epicenter of high-priced commercial sex transactions?
Dr. Okafor: Eti-Osa is where wealth and business activity are concentrated. High-net-worth individuals and corporate spending inevitably influence pricing. The demand there is unique, leading to higher rates compared to other local government areas.
Allocation of Income by Sex Workers
Archyde: The survey also delves into how sex workers allocate their income including significant amounts for body maintenance, family support, and even investments.What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Okafor: It’s encouraging to see diverse allocation patterns. The investments, though perhaps in high-risk areas like crypto and forex, signal forward-thinking. The expenditure on healthcare and education, albeit relatively lower, indicates efforts towards self-betterment and well-being. This speaks volumes about the individual motivations and aspirations of those engaged in the sector.
Economic Implications and future Considerations
Archyde: What are the broader economic implications of this N661 billion expenditure in Lagos, and what should be considered moving forward?
Dr.Okafor: this points to a substantial informal economy that warrants attention. While we don’t condone illegal activities, understanding the underlying economic drivers is crucial.If these funds where channeled into more productive sectors through appropriate policy interventions, the potential impact on Lagos’ economy could be transformative. It also raises ethical questions; is it society that should accept this sector or should create new alternatives to help less privileged individuals get into it, what do you think?
