A Consultant Gynaecologist and Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre, Victor Ajayi, has said only one in four men currently has optimal semen quality, citing research that points to a steady decline in male fertility over recent decades.

Mr Ajayi made the remark during a webinar organised by the fertility centre on Saturday. The webinar was themed “The Forgotten Men: Conversation on Infertility.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fertility specialist cited a 2012 study which found that only about 25 per cent of men had semen quality considered optimal for natural conception.

He said periodic studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have also shown a global decline in male reproductive potential, with sperm counts falling by more than 50 per cent over the past five decades.

According to him, only a small proportion of men now produce the minimum sperm concentration considered adequate for natural conception, compared to the much higher sperm counts commonly recorded decades ago.

Mr Ajayi warned that if the trend continues, it could have serious implications for human reproduction.

Causes of declining sperm quality

He attributed the decline to obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, sperm DNA fragmentation, prolonged exposure of the testes to heat, psychological factors and other underlying medical conditions.

The fertility specialist also challenged the widespread belief that infertility is primarily a woman’s problem.

He said that infertility had been culturally and socially framed as a female problem, leaving women to bear stigma, undergo investigations and shoulder emotional burdens.

He noted that male infertility remained largely overlooked in spite of evidence showing that men contributed significantly to infertility cases.

“It is time to bring men into the conversation about reproductive health, not as bystanders, but as equal participants whose fertility matters,” he said.

The fertility specialist said many of the factors affecting sperm quality were preventable and could be addressed through sustained lifestyle changes.

He called for increased public awareness, early intervention and proper counselling to address male infertility and encourage shared responsibility in reproductive health.

Also speaking, Pilot Gbolahan, Clinical Psychologist at Nordica Fertility Centre, said men rarely displayed their emotional problems.

Mr Gbolahan noted that many men were emotionally distant while suffering from depression caused by infertility and equally avoided therapy.

“Infertility is a medical condition not a reflection of masculinity or strength.

“Male factors contribute to 50 per cent of infertility cases, yet many men delay in seeking fertility evaluation.

“Breaking the silence is the first step towards finding a solution”, he said.

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The psychologist said early assessment could make a significant difference. He advocated for routine psychological services within fertility clinics and reproductive healthcare settings across Nigeria.

Jesse Atongo, Consultant Gynecologist, Nordica Fertility Centre, added that many men equated sexual function to reproductive capacity.

Mr Atongo stated that infertility could be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination and semen analysis.

The gynaecologist noted that male infertility treatment was individualised based on the identified etiology, severity of sperm impairment and the couple’s overall fertility profile.

According to him, infertility could be managed through medications, surgery and assisted reproduction. He encouraged men to eschew illicit substances, excessive heat, alongside alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight and safe sex.

(NAN)

The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), under the Chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has received a significant endorsement from the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) following the world governing body’s confirmation that the Nigeria Federation of American Football (NFAF) is the organisation recognised to oversee the sport in Nigeria.

The clarification, issued by IFAF Managing Director Andy Fuller, validates the process undertaken by the National Sports Commission in February 2026 when it inaugurated the NFAF after extensive consultations aimed at unifying the administration of American football under one national structure.

Read Also: BREAKING! No Congress Approval Needed: IFAF Confirms Recognition of NFAF, Ends Speculation Over Nigeria’s International Status | Sports247 Nigeria

Responding to enquiries on Nigeria’s membership status, Fuller explained that IFAF had been fully aware of the governance reforms introduced by the National Sports Commission and the establishment of the new federation.

«”Historically NAFA has been the IFAF Member Federation for Nigeria,” Fuller said.»

He noted that the international federation had followed the transition process from the beginning.

«”IFAF is aware of the changes to the governance of the sport in Nigeria and the formation of the new body, NFAF, drawing together NAFA and other key stakeholders to serve all forms of American football from grassroots through to high performance.”»

In what many stakeholders have described as a major vote of confidence in Nigeria’s sports administration, Fuller reserved special commendation for the National Sports Commission over the manner in which the transition was managed.

«”I am deeply grateful for the transparency shown by the Sports Commission during this process.”»

The commendation is expected to reinforce confidence in the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, whose administration has consistently maintained that the establishment of the NFAF was aimed at bringing all stakeholders together under a single governing structure capable of driving the sustainable growth of American football across Nigeria.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Fuller’s clarification was his unequivocal confirmation that the International Federation of American Football already recognises the Nigeria Federation of American Football as the body mandated by the National Sports Commission to administer the sport.

«”IFAF recognises NFAF as the body charged by the Sports Commission for the oversight of the sport and our records reflect this,” Fuller stated.»

He further explained that the only outstanding matter is an administrative update to IFAF’s public website.

«”In due course, our website will be updated to reflect the leadership of NFAF.”»

The statement also brings clarity to earlier speculation that Nigeria would have to wait for a future IFAF Congress before the country’s new federation could receive international recognition.

While IFAF’s Membership Principles provide that Associate Membership is conferred by Congress, the world governing body’s latest clarification confirms that the transition involving Nigeria has already been acknowledged. According to IFAF, the remaining update to its website is purely administrative and should not be interpreted as a constitutional or procedural obstacle to the federation’s recognition.

The development represents another milestone in the National Sports Commission’s efforts to reposition Nigerian sports through dialogue, stakeholder engagement, institutional reforms and adherence to international best practices.

It also provides certainty ahead of the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, where Nigeria will compete in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Expressing confidence in Team Nigeria, Fuller said:

«”In August we will welcome the Nigerian national teams to Germany to compete in the IFAF World Championships. I have no doubt that they will represent Nigeria well on the global stage and truly showcase the talent within the country.”»

For many within the American football community, the statement from the world governing body represents far more than a clarification. It is a strong endorsement of the National Sports Commission’s transparent approach to reform and a clear affirmation that the process leading to the establishment of the Nigeria Federation of American Football was undertaken with the knowledge, confidence and recognition of the sport’s international governing body.

With the issue of international recognition now clarified, the focus is expected to shift entirely to preparations for the World Championships, as Nigeria looks to build on its growing reputation as one of Africa’s emerging forces in American football and flag football.