For millions of Nigerian women and girls, a sanitary pad is more than a hygiene product, it has become a symbol of inequality, rising inflation, and the daily struggle to maintain dignity. What was once considered a basic necessity is increasingly becoming a luxury that many girls can no longer afford.
Across markets, supermarkets, pharmacies, and neighborhood shops, the price of sanitary pads has steadily climbed. A product that many girls and women need every month now consumes a significant portion of household budgets already stretched by the high cost of food, transportation, rent, and up healthcare. For families with several daughters, the financial burden is even heavier.
The consequences extend far beyond personal hygiene. Every month, countless girls miss classes because they cannot afford menstrual products. Some stay home to avoid embarrassment, while others resort to using old cloths, tissue paper, newspapers, or other unsafe alternatives that may increase the risk of infections. In workplaces, women facing period poverty often struggle in silence, balancing their health needs with financial realities.
Before we look at how it has become a big issue, let’s look at brief history
A BRIEF HISTORY OF SANITARY PADS IN NIGERIA
Before disposable sanitary pads became widely available, many Nigerian women and girls relied on folded pieces of cloth, cotton wool, old fabric, or other homemade materials to manage menstruation. These methods were common through the colonial era and well into the decades after independence, particularly in rural communities where commercial menstrual products were scarce.
Commercial sanitary pads gradually entered the Nigerian market in the 1970s through imported international brands, but they remained expensive and largely available only in major cities. The turning point came in 1978, when Wemy Industries Limited was incorporated to manufacture sanitary pads and disposable nappies in Nigeria. By 1981, the company had begun full commercial production of its Dr. Brown’s sanitary pads, becoming the country’s first indigenous manufacturer of disposable sanitary pads. This marked the beginning of local production and made menstrual products more accessible to Nigerian consumers, although imports continued to dominate the market for many years.
The Nigerian sanitary pad market expanded in the late 1990s and early 2000s as multinational and local manufacturers introduced more brands.
In 2000, Sankin Industries Nigeria Limited was incorporated, and in 2001 it launched the LadyCare brand, positioning it as an affordable product designed specifically for Nigerian women. The arrival of more brands increased competition, improved product quality, and expanded consumer choice.
THE CORE DRIVERS OF THE CRISIS
Extreme Price Inflation: Prices have skyrocketed from ¦ 150–¦ 300 in 2019 to approximately ¦ 1,500–¦ 3,000 per pack in 2026. Inflation has intensified the crisis. Since many sanitary products or their raw materials are imported, fluctuations in exchange rates and higher production costs have pushed retail prices upward. Manufacturers and distributors point to increased costs of transportation, packaging, electricity, and raw materials, while consumers bear the final burden at the checkout counter.
Failed Tax Interventions: While the Nigeria Tax Act (effective January 2026) exempted all pads from the 7.5% VAT, the savings have been swallowed by rising production and fuel costs.
Shrinkflation & Quality Drop: To stay afloat, manufacturers are producing thinner pads with poor adhesive, leading to reports of increased leaks and rashes.
Educational Impact: Period poverty is a leading cause of school absenteeism, with 1 in 10 African girls and even higher rates in rural Nigeria missing school monthly.
Health professionals warn that poor menstrual hygiene can lead to infections and other reproductive health complications when safe products are unavailable. Yet for many households, the choice is not between expensive and cheap pads it is between buying food or buying menstrual products.
The issue is particularly severe in rural communities, where access to affordable sanitary products is already limited. Long distances to health facilities and retail stores, combined with lower incomes, make menstrual hygiene management even more challenging. In some communities, cultural taboos surrounding menstruation prevent open discussions, leaving many young girls without adequate information or support.
Civil society organizations have increasingly described the situation as a public health and social justice issue rather than simply an economic one. Campaigners argue that menstrual products should be treated as essential goods, similar to medicines or basic healthcare items. They have called for tax relief, subsidies, and greater investment in local manufacturing to reduce dependence on imported materials.
Schools have also become central to the conversation. Education advocates say that no girl should miss lessons because she cannot afford menstrual products. Some states and non-governmental organizations have introduced pad distribution programs and menstrual health education campaigns, but these efforts remain limited compared to the scale of the need.
Another growing conversation focuses on sustainable and reusable menstrual products. Reusable sanitary pads and menstrual cups are being promoted by some organizations as long term, cost effective alternatives. While these options can reduce monthly expenses, challenges such as access to clean water, sanitation facilities, cultural acceptance, and public awareness still limit widespread adoption.
Experts believe that solving Nigeria’s menstrual hygiene challenge requires more than charitable donations. They advocate for coordinated policies that encourage local production, lower production costs, improve distribution networks, and ensure menstrual health education reaches schools and communities nationwide.
CONCLUSION
Until sanitary products become consistently affordable and accessible, millions of Nigerian women and girls will continue to face a monthly struggle that should never have become a national issue. The sanitary pad is no longer just a personal care product it has become a measure of how society values the health, dignity, and future of its women and girls.
Written by Bethel Olaje
