Although nursing is historically female-dominated, men are overcoming stereotypes regarding empathy and gender to venture into the profession. Male nurses are vital to the health care sector, comprising a growing minority that brings diversity and critical skills to nursing, particularly in high-acuity areas like ICU, ER and flight nursing. While facing stereotypes and unique challenges, they perform identical roles to their female colleagues, often pursuing specialised, technical or leadership positions.
Across the country, a quiet shift is taking place in hospital wards and clinics as more men embrace nursing. From Kano to Benue, Bayelsa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), male nurses are not only redefining stereotypes but also carving out spaces of impact, compassion and professional excellence.
Male nurses in Kano who spoke with Weekend Trust shared their motivations, challenges and experiences.
For Al-Mustapha A. Madabo, the decision to become a nurse was deeply personal. He said, “I chose nursing because I wanted a career where I could make a real difference in people’s lives daily. Caring for patients during their most vulnerable moments gives me a sense of purpose.”
He said his father’s encouragement played a crucial role in his decision.
“My father believes that nursing is a respected and meaningful profession. Following his advice, I began to see the value of the profession and developed interest in health care,” he added.
Adamu Ibrahim also said, “The best among people is the one that others benefit most from. That is why I chose nursing.”
Al-Mustapha also noted, “When people hear the word ‘nurse,’ they often imagine a woman, so they are sometimes surprised when men enter the field.
“Male nurses, however, play vital roles, particularly in situations where cultural or religious sensitivities make male caregivers more appropriate.
“Despite stereotypes, nursing is not about gender but about skill, dedication and compassion.”
The decision to study nursing often draws mixed reactions. While some families are supportive, others question why a man would not choose medicine or engineering.
Adamu recalled that while some relatives praised his choice, others dismissed it as “a waste of time” or even “a sign of laziness.”
Despite this, they remained determined, proving that nursing is a respectable career for both men and women.
Male nursing students also face restrictions during training. At General Hospital, Dutse, Al-Mustapha recounted being barred from performing certain procedures in the maternity ward.
“We were told that male students should not carry out vaginal examination due to privacy and cultural concerns,” he said.
He also recalled a painful experience when relatives of a critically ill patient refused his intervention because he was male.
“Despite our efforts to explain the urgency, they rejected our care. Sadly, the patient died,” he said.
Adamu highlighted additional challenges thus: “The ratio of male nursing students in class is negligible compared to the females. Even pronouns used in lectures were mostly ‘she’ and ‘her.’ Female students had hostels on campus while males were housed outside the campus.”
Cultural and religious beliefs continue to shape patient preferences. Many female patients request female nurses for injections or procedures.
Male nurses respond by respecting these wishes and maintaining professionalism.
“We manage such situations by staying calm, respectful and patient-centred. Professionalism means putting the patient’s needs first, even if it means stepping back,” Al-Mustapha said.
They also noted that male nurses are sometimes limited to physically demanding tasks such as lifting patients or wound care.
In some cases, hospital policies prevent them from working night shifts in female wards. While these measures aim to respect privacy, they can limit exposure to certain procedures.
“Such limitations can slow professional growth. But we remain committed, hoping that changing perceptions would eventually allow equal opportunities,” Al-Mustapha noted.
Similarly, in Benue State, the presence of male nurses is steadily on the increase, with many driven by deep personal experiences and desire to make a difference in the medical sector.
For Mhange Williams, the turning point came during a hospital visit to a friend battling sickle cell crisis.
“I watched the nurses care for her with such dedication and skill. Seeing someone gradually move from pain to recovery gave me a deep sense of satisfaction. That was the moment I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to be close to patients and be part of their healing journey,” he recalled.
Now a registered nurse, Williams represents a new generation of men who see nursing not just as a job but a calling. He acknowledges the weight of societal perception and skepticism.
“Nursing is a science-based profession that is open to everyone. But the society has traditionally framed care-giving as a feminine role, and that narrative has influenced the demographics of the profession,” he said.
Despite family support, Williams said he encountered subtle barriers during training, particularly being denied access to certain units like the labour ward.
“There are situations where patients decline care from a male nurse, especially for sensitive procedures. We respect patient preferences. It is about the patient’s comfort,” he said.
For Thomas Achi, who has spent over 25 years in the profession, nursing was a decision he described as divinely inspired.
“My decision to become a nurse was divine. It was not influenced by anyone,” he said.
Achi’s experience across different parts of the country shaped his perspective.
“In my case, many female patients actually prefer male nurses. Some say male nurses are gentle and more patient,” he noted.
Also in Benue, Lawrence Onuh said his journey into nursing was fueled by an innate passion for caring for others.
“Even before becoming a nurse, I would feel emotional whenever I saw a sick person,” he said.
In Bayelsa State, at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Liberia Progress, a male nurse, challenged the notion that nursing is solely meant for women.
“The nursing profession is not meant for only females. It is something you study, earn a certificate and practise. It has nothing to do with gender,” he said.
He, however, noted that global trends tell a different story. “If you go to countries like the United Kingdom, male nurses are everywhere, especially in emergency and intensive care units,” he said.
While cultural and religious factors may influence patient preferences in developing countries, he stressed that professionalism remained central to the profession.
“As a professional, my duty is to care for everybody. If a patient is not comfortable, we follow ethics and assign another nurse,” he said.
Interestingly, in Abuja, male nurses said the profession was gradually shedding off long-held stereotypes as exposure to diverse cultures and growing awareness reshape patients’ attitudes towards care by male nurses.
For many practitioners in the Federal Capital Territory, the journey into nursing is defined not just by professional ambition but by the daily realities of navigating public perception in a rapidly evolving urban environment.
Musa Abdullahi, a nurse at a public hospital, said competence was increasingly taking precedence over gender.
“In Abuja, patients are more concerned about getting quality care. Once they see that you know your job, gender is secondary,” he said.
He noted that while some patients may initially hesitate, confidence is often built through interaction and professionalism.
For Chukwuma Daniel who works in a private facility, earning that trust requires discipline and consistency.
“You have to carry yourself with a high level of discipline. Sometimes people doubt you at first, but your attitude and skill quickly change that perception,” he said.
According to Daniel, the environment in Abuja presents both opportunities and challenges as nurses interact with patients from different cultural and social backgrounds.
Similarly, Faruk Mohammed said the diversity of the capital city had helped broaden acceptance of male nurses.
“You meet people from different cultures and beliefs. Some are particular about gender, but many are open-minded. It teaches you patience and respect,” he said, adding that adapting to these varying expectations is part of the profession.
Emmanuel Peters believes the changing perception is also influencing younger generations. “Many of us are now encouraging younger boys to consider nursing. It is a stable profession and also gives you the opportunity to impact lives directly,” he said.
While competence remains the ultimate benchmark, many Nigerians still hold personal preferences regarding nurses that attend to them, shaped by culture, experience and comfort.
For Moses Ayomide, a civil servant, the choice leans towards male nurses in certain situations.
“Honestly, I prefer male nurses, especially when it comes to procedures that require physical strength or urgency. There’s this perception that they act faster in emergency situations. But at the end of the day, competence is what really matters to me,” he said.
A trader, Grace Fagbemi said she felt more at ease with female nurses: “I feel more comfortable with female nurses because they tend to be more patient and gentler, especially when you are already in pain. It is not that male nurses aren’t good, but there’s natural care women bring into the job,” she said.
Tunde Adeniyi, a banker, takes a neutral stance: “For me, gender doesn’t matter at all. I have had both male and female nurses attend to me and what stood out was professionalism. A good nurse is a good nurse, be it male or female.”
Aisha Hassan said cultural and personal sensitivities influenced her preference. She said: “I would choose a female nurse, particularly for personal or sensitive health issues. It is easier to open up to a female; and there’s a level of comfort and modesty I feel, which is important.”
Egharevba Tovia, a student, argued that female nurses communicate more: “I don’t have a strict preference, but I have noticed that female nurses tend to communicate more with patients. They explain what they are doing, which makes patients feel less anxious.”
Our male counterparts add value to the profession – Female nurses
Speaking with Weekend Trust, female nurses said their male counterparts were increasingly proving their value. Sola Adeyemi said: “Our male colleagues are an essential part of the hospital I work at. They bring balance to the profession. In situations that require physical strength or dealing with aggressive patients, they are often very dependable.”
Similarly, Sani Rashedat of Kubwa General Hospital dismissed stereotypes about male nurses lacking empathy. “There’s a misconception that male nurses are less caring, which is not true. I have worked with male colleagues who are incredibly empathetic and dedicated. In fact, some patients respond better to them.”
The national chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions sector, Morakinyo Rilwan, called for increased admission and recruitment of male nurses, saying they are critical to addressing workforce shortages and strengthening health care delivery in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Weekend Trust, Rilwan said the long-standing gender imbalance in the nursing profession was gradually changing but required deliberate policy action to achieve meaningful balance.
“Before now, the ratio of male to female nurses was quite low. Even in my own school, we were only three males in a class of 50 students. This imbalance largely stemmed from the misconception that nursing is exclusively a female profession,” he said.
According to him, growing awareness has begun to challenge such stereotypes, with more men showing interest in the profession and proving their competence.
“People have realised that men can enter the nursing profession and perform exceptionally well. The issue is not that men are unwilling to study nursing; rather, they are often not admitted in large numbers,” Rilwan explained.
He attributed the limited intake of male students to lingering biases about gender roles and temperament, noting that such assumptions are no longer valid.
“The few men currently in nursing have demonstrated outstanding performance and are contributing significantly to transforming the profession, which was once seen as exclusively feminine,” he said.
Rilwan also dismissed the notion that nursing is subordinate to other medical professions, describing it as an independent and specialised field.
“There is a common misconception that nursing is subordinate to medicine. In reality, nursing is a distinct profession—it is not subordinate to any other,” he said.
The union leader stressed that increasing the number of male nurses would help address staffing challenges, particularly in the light of workforce dynamics within the civil service.
“With the extension of maternity leave, many female nurses may be away from work for extended periods. Male nurses, on the other hand, are more consistently available throughout the year due to shorter leave periods,” he said.
He clarified that the call for greater male participation is not intended to diminish the role of women but to ensure balance and continuity in health care delivery.
“This is not to undermine the important role of women but to highlight the need for balance. Increasing the number of male nurses can help address manpower shortages and ensure continuity of care,” he said.
Rilwan noted that some parts of northern Nigeria historically recorded a higher number of male nurses, adding that awareness is now spreading nationwide.
He urged nursing schools and government institutions to take deliberate steps to admit and employ more men in the profession.
“We are appealing to nursing schools to increase the admission of male students. We also urge employers, including federal institutions, to recruit more male nurses,” he said.
He noted that male nurses played an increasingly important role in reshaping the profession and should be encouraged through inclusive policies and opportunities.
Contributions from Seun Adeuyi (Abuja), Abbas Tijjani Madabo (Kano), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa)