Morning Sex: More Nigerians are Starting the Day in Bed

There’s a quiet but palpable change happening in Nigerian bedrooms—and it’s taking place in the mornings. More and more, Nigerians are starting the day no longer with tea or a traffic report, but with intimacy. Sex in the morning, once a private pleasure, is becoming mainstream as one of the couple’s daily rituals across the country, driven by changes in attitudes toward wellness, relationships, and work-life, not just for pleasure, but as a health plan.

It was discovered in recent polls by lifestyle and dating websites in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt that more than 60% of Nigerian adults aged 25 to 45 admit to having engaged in morning intimacy at least once in the past month. Of them, nearly 40% say that it has become a matter of weekly habit.

Experts point out several factors fuelling this trend. Advances in remote and flexible working have reduced the morning commute for many city dwellers. With commutes either reduced or eliminated completely, couples have more time to connect with each other before the workday begins. In the meantime, there is greater awareness of the health benefits associated with morning intimacy—both mental and physical.

“Morning sex releases endorphins and oxytocin, which reduce stress and promote emotional bonding,” explains Dr. Ifeoma Ajayi, a Lagos psychologist and wellness coach. “It’s said to lift your mood, improve your concentration, and even benefit immune function.” It’s a natural kick-start for the day.”

For some, it’s also reviving closeness in long-term relationships. Relationship advisors say many couples struggle to incorporate quality time together into packed schedules after long workdays. Mornings that were once filled with alarm clocks and hurrying around are now being reclaimed for connection.

“There’s a shift in culture, indeed,” says Chuka Eze, who edits the relationship column for Naija Living Today. “Nigerians are more openly talking about sex and intimacy, not merely as personal acts, but as components of overall health and relationship health.”

This trend is not limited to youth or city residents alone. Whether experienced professionals living in Ibadan or just-wed couples in Enugu, couples across all of Nigeria are embracing the notion that the way you wake up dictates everything that follows.

Local brands are beginning to take notice. Lifestyle brands are selling “slow mornings,” and even some wellness influencers are adding intimacy into their morning routine videos. It recently featured one TikTok video that broke the internet where a couple talked about how “morning love” changed their relationship and it accumulated over 1.2 million views.

Talking about sex openly still makes many people uncomfortable, even as attitudes slowly begin to change. In many communities, it’s a topic wrapped in silence, with calls for privacy often clashing with the growing need for honest conversations around intimacy and sexual well-being.

Yet, despite the hush, more Nigerians are embracing morning sex as part of everyday life. For some, it’s about nurturing love and connection. For others, it’s a way to start the day on a happier, healthier note. Whatever the reason, it’s becoming clear that this isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a gentle shift toward living more intentionally, even in how we express intimacy.