By Patience Ihejirika
In the shadowy alleys of Nigerian markets and the unregulated spaces of social media, a deadly trade thrives. Behind glossy packaging and seductive names like Dragon Power and Hydra-Sildenafil Citrate, lies a ticking time bomb. Men seeking fleeting moments of sexual glory are instead courting tragedy — heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes, and in far too many cases, sudden death.
Doctors call it a silent public health crisis. Families call it an unending nightmare. Authorities say it’s a deadly cocktail of deception, desire, and danger.
Across the country, unregulated sex-enhancing stimulants, popularly known as “manpower,” are leaving a trail of grieving widows, bewildered children, and covered-up scandals. The pills, marketed as natural remedies, are often laced with dangerously high doses of sildenafil — the active ingredient in Viagra — and sold freely in open markets, buses, and online stores without medical supervision.
In Abuja, a prominent businessman was found lifeless in his hotel room after boasting of “enhanced performance” earlier in the evening. In Port Harcourt, a respected lecturer collapsed during a marathon sex session after consuming a potent herbal aphrodisiac bought in the local market. And in Enugu, another academic suffered a fatal heart attack hours after swallowing an unregistered capsule.
These tragedies rarely make headlines. Families, shrouded in shame, bury their dead quietly. Hospitals record the deaths but seldom disclose the real cause. “We see more cases than people can imagine,” a nurse at a private hospital in Abuja told LEADERSHIP Sunday. “Most arrive too late — and many don’t survive.”
Pharm. Kilani Jelili, former chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) FCT chapter, warned that the reckless misuse of unregulated enhancers is akin to “swallowing poison for pleasure.”
“The real issue is dosage,” Jelili explained. “Medically, we begin with the lowest dose and adjust carefully. These unorthodox pills? You don’t know what’s inside. They can cause kidney failure, blindness, stroke, or permanent impotence.”
Obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Kudus Lawal, said much of the problem stems from social pressure and myths. “Many men wrongly believe sex must last 30 minutes or more. The truth? The average is under five minutes. This misinformation is pushing men into dangerous habits.”
Underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or stress often fuel sexual dysfunction, but instead of seeking help, many men gamble with their lives.
Investigations reveal that Nigerian markets are awash with contraband. The Nigeria Customs Service recently intercepted 1,001 cartons of Hydra-Sildenafil tablets falsely declared as cosmetics. A study found that nearly a third of herbal aphrodisiacs sampled across Northwestern states contained undeclared doses of sildenafil.
Globally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that over 500 sexual supplements were adulterated with prescription-strength chemicals between 2007 and 2014. Nigeria faces an even more chaotic situation.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has repeatedly warned Nigerians against patronizing unregistered enhancers. “These so-called natural products are killers in disguise,” she said. “They disrupt circulation, damage vital organs, and can trigger sudden cardiac arrest. No fleeting pleasure is worth a permanent grave.”
According to her, many men who die suddenly during intercourse are wrongly thought to be victims of witchcraft, when in reality, the culprit is a lethal pill.
Culture of Silence and Stigma
In upscale hotels, guesthouses, and even official residences, prominent Nigerians — politicians, civil servants, and businessmen — have collapsed mid-act after taking unregulated stimulants. Often, the deaths are quietly covered up to save reputations.
The silence only deepens the crisis. Doctors warn that as long as men continue to self-medicate in secret, the fatalities will rise. “This is not about shame,” said Dr. Lawal. “It’s about survival. If you experience dysfunction, see a doctor. Don’t gamble your life for pride.”
The Dangerous Illusion
The lure of “manpower” pills is simple: instant results. But beneath the lies lies a truth no glossy label can hide — the deadly cost of desire.
As the trade in unregulated sex stimulants booms, so too does the heartbreak in Nigerian homes. Experts warn: unless urgent steps are taken to regulate the market and educate the public, the country may be staring at a full-blown health catastrophe.
The message is clear: seek medical help, not shortcuts. No moment of pleasure is worth a lifetime of pain — or a sudden death.
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