Nigerian fathers increasingly prioritise emotional presence over financial provision – Study

A father holding his baby to illustrate the story

A new study by Gatefield found that Nigerian men increasingly consider emotional presence and active involvement in childcare more important than their traditional role as financial providers.

The findings are contained in a qualitative study titled “The New Breadwinner: Masculinity, Caregiving and Economic Prosperity in Nigeria”, released by Gatefield’s Opinion Lab.

According to the study, emotional connection was mentioned 156 times by participants, nearly twice the 84 mentions recorded for financial provision, suggesting a shift in how men perceive their responsibilities as fathers.

The study examines changing perceptions of masculinity, fatherhood, and caregiving in Nigeria, highlighting men’s desire to become more involved in their children’s early development.

However, it notes that economic pressures, workplace policies and prevailing cultural expectations continue to limit men’s ability to participate actively in caregiving.

The study found that men who define their masculinity primarily through their ability to provide financially often experience shame and emotional withdrawal during periods of economic instability.

It described this experience as “provider shame”, where men struggle with their sense of self-worth when they are unable to meet their families’ financial needs.

A male business leader quoted in the report described how financial difficulties affected his willingness to interact with others.

Similarly, a religious leader acknowledged that measuring his masculinity by his financial contributions had created pressure.

The report noted that redefining fatherhood requires separating men’s self-worth from their economic output and recognising emotional involvement as an important aspect of family responsibility.

Beyond cultural expectations, the study identified workplace policies as a major factor determining whether fathers can participate in childcare.

It noted that while public sector employees are entitled to 14 days of paid paternity leave, men working in the informal sector, which accounts for about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce, often face financial penalties when they take time away from work to care for their children.

The study also highlighted differences in how families manage caregiving responsibilities.

It found that some middle-class, dual-income households rely on paid domestic workers to manage household chores, allowing both parents to balance work and childcare.

However, this arrangement is largely inaccessible to lower-income families without the financial resources to outsource domestic responsibilities.

The study also examined how different advocacy approaches influence men’s willingness to support shared caregiving.

It found that confrontational, rights-focused language, including expressions such as “dismantling the motherhood penalty” and “unpaid care work”, increased defensiveness among participants sixfold.

In contrast, messages presenting shared caregiving as beneficial to household peace and prosperity were nearly five times more persuasive, increasing message resonance by more than 70 per cent.

According to the report, family-centred messaging generated seven supportive responses for every instance of resistance, suggesting that presenting caregiving as a shared family responsibility could encourage greater male participation.

The report also emphasised the influence of religious and traditional leaders in shaping perceptions of masculinity and fatherhood.

It called for religious institutions to promote shared responsibility, financial transparency and partnerships built on mutual respect rather than dominant authority.

To address the barriers identified, Gatefield recommended reforms in workplace policies and public advocacy to encourage greater male participation in caregiving.

The organisation called for paid paternity leave to be extended beyond the 14-day public sector benchmark to private sector workers.

It also recommended community-based childcare arrangements for informal workers who may not have access to paid parental leave or affordable domestic support.

On advocacy, the study urged stakeholders to move away from confrontational messaging and instead emphasise child development, household stability and shared economic prosperity.

It further recommended partnerships with religious and traditional leaders to promote active fatherhood and shared marital responsibilities.

The report also called for accessible community childcare facilities and informal crèche networks, particularly for working-class families who cannot afford domestic help.

It said these interventions would help translate men’s stated willingness to participate in caregiving into practical changes within Nigerian households.

The gap between men’s desire to participate in childcare and the economic realities that constrain them is not merely theoretical.

In a July report, PREMIUM TIMES examined how Nigeria’s limited parental leave provisions affect fathers and their families, documenting the experiences of men who struggled to balance work with supporting their partners after childbirth.

One of them was unable to obtain paternity leave when his wife developed complications during labour and underwent a caesarean section in Abuja. While she recovered from the surgery, he was hundreds of kilometres away in Lagos, where he worked as a teacher and football coach.

He eventually resigned to join his family, a decision that plunged the household into financial uncertainty.

Another father, a self-employed businessman, was able to stay home to support his wife after childbirth. However, the time he spent caring for his family came at the expense of his income.