Body odour in Nigeria's heat: why hygiene is everyone's business

Body odour is something almost everyone notices but few Nigerians will mention out loud, and that silence is part of the problem, according to a Lagos-based health communication expert.

In an article published by Daily Trust, Ojenagbon argued that hygiene is not just a private comfort but affects how people are treated at work, in school and on public transport. He said the subject deserves open, practical conversation rather than embarrassment.

The science, he explained, is simple. Sweat from the skin's glands is largely odourless when it leaves the body. The smell comes when bacteria on the skin break down proteins and fatty acids in sweat, especially in the armpits and groin. Hormones, some medicines, diet and certain health conditions can all play a part, but for most people the main driver is inadequate washing.

Why Nigeria's climate matters

Nigeria's heat and humidity speed up bacterial growth on the skin far more than in cooler countries. Many Nigerians spend long hours in crowded buses and tricycles in temperatures often above 30 degrees, and much daily work, from market trading to construction to okada riding, is physical. Sweating heavily in that setting is normal physiology, not a moral failing, the article said.

Ojenagbon noted the irony that Nigerians take great care over clothing, hairstyles and jewellery, yet sometimes overlook how they smell. A well-tailored outfit loses impact if the wearer has not addressed the odour beneath it, he wrote.

He blamed cultural discomfort for the silence. People find it awkward or insulting to tell a colleague, friend or relative about body odour, so many go years without honest feedback. Because our noses get used to our own scent, some people genuinely do not know how they smell to others.

His practical advice: wash daily with soap that actually cleans, focusing on the armpits, groin, feet and skin folds; dry properly, since damp skin lets bacteria multiply; and treat deodorants and antiperspirants as support, not a substitute for bathing. He said antiperspirant applied at night can work better for heavy sweaters, and that synthetic fabrics trap moisture, while clothes should be washed well and dried fully in sunlight where possible.

Diet plays a smaller role than often assumed, though garlic, onions, spices, alcohol and smoking can affect how a person smells. Drinking enough water helps modestly but does not replace washing.

He also flagged a medical side. Persistent, unusually strong odour can sometimes signal an underlying condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, kidney or liver problems, or the rare trimethylaminuria, known as fish odour syndrome. Anyone who keeps good hygiene and still struggles should see a doctor rather than assume it is a hygiene failure.

Ojenagbon stressed that some people's hygiene is limited by circumstance rather than choice, and that they deserve compassion and practical support rather than judgement. Smelling clean, he wrote, is a form of respect for yourself and for the people you share a bus, an office or a family gathering with.