₦airaland Forum

GOFRONT:
All because of GENITAL MEET AND GREET??

The way genitals frequently meet n greet nowadayz ehn!!!.......Make I no talk yet!!

Experts have warned that prices of condoms may increase in Nigeria, and likely lead to shortages if the crisis in the Middle East disrupting global oil supply chains continues.

The experts in the pharmaceutical sector explained that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran was already disrupting supplies and raw materials used in producing condoms, which is now driving up manufacturing costs.

They noted that since many condoms in Nigeria are imported, the current disruptions could lead to a hike in prices of condoms locally, including possible shortages.

Condoms rely heavily on petrochemical-based materials such as synthetic rubber, silicone lubricants, among other components, many of which have become more expensive due to rising oil prices and shipping disruptions due to the escalations.

The experts raised the concern following the recent announcement by the world’s biggest condom maker, Karex, that it plans to raise its prices by up to 30% or more if the US-Iran war continues to disrupt supplies of the raw materials used in making condoms.

Karex, based in Malaysia, supplies leading global brands like Durex and Trojan, among others, and produces more than five billion condoms a year. Karex relies on materials derived from oil, including ammonia, which is used to preserve latex, as well as silicone-based lubricants.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Karex’s Chief Executive, Goh Miah Kiat, explained that the company has recorded sharp rises in production costs since the conflict started.

According to Goh, demand for condoms has risen by about 30% this year, with higher freight costs and delays to shipping worsening shortages.

The PUNCH Healthwise reports that the US-Iran conflict, which has entered its 72nd day, has been marked by intensified attacks, including strikes on Tehran and regional allies, according to international news agencies.

The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel attacked Iran after weeks of military build-up and threats from President Trump. Large-scale strikes targeted Iranian military assets and the Islamic Republic’s top leadership, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Although a ceasefire between the US and Iran has been in place since April 8, renewed exchange of fire erupted on May 7, 2026, following naval standoffs in the Gulf with Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports.

PUNCH Healthwise earlier reported that stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector raised concerns that the escalating conflict could trigger a shortage of essential medicines in Nigeria by disrupting drug imports and delaying the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients needed for local production.

However, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts warned that countries dependent on imported contraceptives, including Nigeria, could face reduced access and affordability challenges if the disruptions persist.

The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, Ambrose Ezeh, said scarcity and disruption in the production of condoms could lead to a price hike of the product.

He noted that while Karex produces high-end products like Durex and others, a sharp increase in their prices and scarcity could shift demand to other affordable brands in Nigeria.

This shift to affordable brands, he said, could inform a surge in demand and lead to a price increase in those products too.

“If disruption in movement, shipment, and all that leads to the scarcity of that particular product, the price of condoms will go up because people will now make do with the small stock they have.

“If there is a disruption in production, the prices will go up. So, there is no way those disruptions will not affect the price of condoms, because they will increase the cost of that product and lead to scarcity. If the demand is high and the product is scarce, the price of the remaining ones available will go up.

“And when condoms like Durex, which are for the elites because they’re expensive, become scarce, the demand will shift to the other ones that average Nigerians are buying. It might tend to even jack up the price of those ones depending on the location and the availability of those ones,” Eze said.

Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, is already behind in access to condom coverage to curb sexually transmitted diseases to the barest minimum.

A 2021 report on condom access and utilisation in Nigeria by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, and the NOI Polls, revealed that Nigerians consume about 587 million condoms yearly.

It stated that Nigeria needs at least 1.15 billion condoms yearly to be able to attain 90 per cent coverage and bring down sexually transmitted diseases to a minimum.

The report indicated that Nigeria will need an extra 564 million condoms annually to achieve 90 per cent coverage across the country.

“The gap between current condom use (587 million) and total need (1.15 billion) to achieve ninety per cent (90 per cent) coverage is 564 million condoms annually,” the report read in part.

Speaking on the health implications of such scarcity and price hike, a former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo, said the development could worsen sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and HIV burden.

According to him, condoms have become a very vital health instrument because they help us in a dual capacity.

“Condoms help us contain the challenges of population explosion and then, of course, help a great deal in limiting or reducing a lot of sexually transmitted infections, STIs, including HIV.

“So, if the price becomes unaffordable, the glaring consequence, which is very damning, is that we might begin to experience an unwarranted increase in population, which distorts national development and growth indices. So, it’s not something any government or people would want to risk because of these very significant consequences.

“Then, of course, at a time when we are still contending with proper management of HIV/AIDS and, of course, STIs, this becomes a huge danger to public health interests, because more people will begin to practise unprotected sex when the cost becomes unaffordable,” he said.

Corroborating Akintayo, the immediate past Vice Chairman of PSN, Ogun State chapter, Dr Olumide Obube, said the consequence of a hike in prices and scarcity of condoms could be dire.

“Condoms remain one of the cheapest, simplest, and most effective dual-protection tools because they prevent both sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. If condoms become expensive, many people will not necessarily stop having sex; rather, they may stop using protection.

“If condoms become out of reach for average Nigerians, the country may pay later through higher HIV transmission, more STIs, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased pressure on an already stretched health system,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria still depends heavily on imported condoms, donor-funded procurement and imported raw materials.

“Local production of condoms must now therefore be treated as a strategic public health investment, not just a private business opportunity,” he said.

Akintayo and Obube’s submission aligned with the World Health Organisation’s position on the importance of condoms.

The WHO says condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are safe and highly effective in preventing transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.

The WHO said in 2020, 374 million new STIs occurred globally among adults aged 15–49 with one of the four curable STIs: syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and trichomoniasis.

“Condoms continue to be an essential and effective tool in the prevention packages for HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancy. Condom use has been a significant tool to decrease the transmission of HIV globally.

“98 per cent of women whose male partners use male condoms correctly in every sex act over one year will be protected from unplanned pregnancy. In addition, over 300 million unplanned pregnancies are estimated to be prevented each year by using contraceptives, including condoms,” the WHO said.

Willy2025:
Don't count your chicks before they are hatched. It was only said to be zoned to the south NOT to Obi. Remember that Goodluck Jonathan is there. He is a more credible and acceptable candidate than Obi. Obi is going nowhere. That NDC convention looked like a nursery and primary school end of the year party held at the compound of Seriake Dickson.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Saturday zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to southern Nigeria for a single four-year term.

The move is expected to strengthen the presidential ambition of former Anambra State governor, Peteroo Obi.

The decision was reached during the party’s National Convention in Abuja, where delegates adopted a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Afam Ogene.

Announcing the resolution, the NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the arrangement formed part of the party’s broader power-sharing formula aimed at balancing regional interests within the opposition coalition.

He added that after the proposed single four-year term for the South, the presidential ticket would automatically return to the North in 2031.

“It will be the turn of the North in 2031,” Cleopas announced.

The National Executive Committee also ratified the election of members of the party’s National Working Committee during the convention.

The development is expected to clear the way for Obi and other southern aspirants to purchase and process the party’s presidential nomination forms ahead of the 2027 polls.

The zoning decision comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the elections, with opposition figures seeking a united platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The move also comes one week after Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, formally joined the NDC at the convention, urging party members to avoid internal crises and focus on rebuilding Nigeria.

Addressing delegates and supporters, Kwankwaso threw his weight behind the zoning arrangement, describing it as consistent with equity and the party’s internal agreement.

He said, “Since we joined this party, the NDC has continued to attract quality members and supporters. What began as a bold movement is steadily becoming a formidable platform for national renewal.

“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The world is undergoing a profound political shift, yet our nation has been caught unprepared, largely because of poor leadership. Instead of positioning Nigeria to seize emerging opportunities, bad governance has left us bearing the brunt of global changes.

“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. As a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC so that it allows the region to complete its task in producing national leadership. "

Obi, in his address, praised the NDC leadership for insisting on sustaining multi-party democracy in Nigeria, expressing optimism that the 2027 elections would be free and credible.

“I thank the leaders of the NDC for insisting that we can’t have a one-party system in Nigeria. Nigeria must have democracy, and we insist that those who think we wouldn’t have a free and fair election in 2027 should have a rethink now,” he said.

“In 2027, we are going to have a free, fair and credible election. Today in Nigeria, over 140 million Nigerians are languishing in multidimensional poverty. Over 80 million Nigerian youth are unemployed or underemployed. Since the beginning of this month, we lost over 100 Nigerians.

“Mothers are no longer sure their children who left for school will return. Every Nigerian today is worried about where the next meal will come from. Nigeria is now among the hungriest countries in the world and among the most insecure countries in the world. I can go on and on.

“We want Nigerians to love each other. That is why people think we are changing parties. Let me assure you that we are not changing parties for transactions. We are changing because we want to have a platform and the opportunity to build a new Nigeria that is possible. This is a sign we need to rebrand Nigeria,” Obi stated.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate also charged supporters to mobilise ahead of the elections and reject leaders involved in alleged wrongdoing.

“Let us go home and start the work. The work starts today. The work is to ensure we chase out people who are making our country miserable, all those who agree that you can forge certificates and that doing the wrong thing is right. They are the people we want to chase out,” Obi stated.

Also speaking, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, assured members that the party was free of factional crisis and litigation.

“The NDC is a brand new party with no crisis or pending litigation. You will recall that our collective goal is to build an opposition platform that will rekindle the flame of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

“The opposition is heavily compromised and intimidated. While it has done what is right, we equally urge INEC to ensure that other opposition parties receive fair treatment.

“The NDC has come to stay. It is good to go. The NDC has no faction and pending cases,” he said.

Saturday’s convention also caused heavy traffic congestion around Ahmadu Bello Way and adjoining roads in Abuja as thousands of party supporters and delegates thronged the venue.

Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements were seen chanting solidarity songs and celebrating around the convention ground, while traders occupied road medians and open spaces to sell items to attendees.

Security operatives were later deployed to the area to manage the crowd and ease traffic in the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory.