Every year on May 28, World Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) draws attention to menstrual health and hygiene and advocates for a world where menstruation does not limit access to education, health, dignity, or opportunity. In Nigeria, however, the conversation around menstrual health remains deeply tied to affordability and access.
For millions of Nigerian women and girls, menstruation is not only a biological reality but also a financial burden shaped by inflation, poverty and unequal access to sanitary products.
Out of Nigeria’s estimated 119.2 million females, comprising women and girls, the Centre for Health Ethics, Law and Development (CHELD) estimates that more than 52 million menstruate monthly, yet only about 70 per cent have access to menstrual hygiene products. In 2021, former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, stated that nearly 37 million women and girls across the country could not afford sanitary pads, the most widely used menstrual hygiene product.
Menstrual hygiene products used in Nigeria include disposable sanitary pads, reusable cloth pads, tampons, menstrual cups and period underwear. However, sanitary pads remain the most common option, with prices ranging from N1,800 to N3,000 per pack, depending on the brand and type.
The Rising Cost Burden
Between 2020 and 2025, the cost of sanitary products in Nigeria rose significantly, driven by inflation, Naira depreciation, and the removal of fuel subsidies, all of which increased production and distribution costs. These rising costs have ultimately been passed on to end users, particularly women and girls who rely on sanitary products for menstrual hygiene management. As a result, some are forced to rely on less suitable alternatives, such as cloth or cotton, during their monthly flow.
In response to affordability concerns, the Nigerian government in 2020 exempted locally manufactured sanitary pads from the 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT). This policy was further expanded in 2025 when President Bola Tinubu signed the Nigeria Tax Act, extending VAT exemptions to all sanitary products regardless of origin.
Despite these interventions, sanitary products remain out of reach for millions of women.
In 2019, sanitary pads sold for between N150 and N300 per pack. By 2022, prices had doubled to around N600. By 2026, local brands retail for about N1,500 per pack, while imported products cost considerably more.