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MALE ESCORTING IN NIGERIA:

NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF INTIMACY,

COMMERCE AND SOCIETAL PERCEPTION.

- B A R T H O L O M E W O K A T A

INTRODUCTION

igeria, a nation known for its rich cultural
heritage, is a melting pot for a complex
Ninterplay of traditions, modernity, and
societal expectations. Amidst this union lies the
phenomenon of male escorting; a realm where
intimacy and commerce converge against a
backdrop of diverse societal perceptions. The
phenomenon of male escorting in Nigeria stands
at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. This tricks. They (especially street prostitutes),
academic exercise embarks on a concise sometimes refer to the act of prostitution as
exploration of the historical roots, legal
complexities, and societal dynamics that shape turning tricks (web).
the world of male escorting in Nigeria.
Male Escorting in Africa
WHAT IS ESCORTING?
The female gender and sexual exploitation have
long been linked together, just as prostitution is
The question "what is escorting?" has posed often synonymous with women, however, a 2018
serious problems and debates for donkey years. report by a group (Face to Face Africa), showed
Many people use the words “escorting” and
“prostitution” interchangeably, however, when that sex tourism on the African continent was
performed correctly, an escort may offer a legal swaying towards male prostitution. It stated that
service to a client. In fact, prostitution is the the sex business includes men, who were often
exchange of sex for money or something else of lured into the trade by desperation due to
economic situations and cravings for a high-class
value. On the other hand, escorting offers a lifestyle. A 2008 report by Daily Mail stressed that
person’s time and company in exchange for countries with great beaches and heavy
money or something else of value, for example,
escorts may accompany a client to a business attractions for female tourists easily serve as
function, dinner, or other activity, but sex does conducive environments for gigolos, with
not take place (Sex Crimes). Nigeria, Egypt, Gambia, Kenya, and South Africa
listed as prominent countries where the
profession thrives. In 2018, Saturday PUNCH
Many countries have made regulations so as to reported how male sex workers were paid N40,
address this problem, for instance prostitution is 000 for a night service in a brothel at Port
illegal in California, while escorting is legal.
Understanding the differences between Harcourt. In the investigation, it was discovered
escorting and prostitution can prevent legal that undergraduates made up a chunk of the
misunderstandings or even criminal charges. In male sex workers that worked at the brothel
addition, under Ohio prostitution laws, you can (Osaji).
go to jail for engaging in prostitution. In our FA C T O R S T H AT G I V E R I S E T O M A L E
contemporary world however, many prostitution ESCORTING IN NIGERIA
enterprises hide behind the word “escort” to There are many factors fuelling the enterprise of
unleash their services, with male prostitutes now
baptised with the name “male escorts”. A male male escorting in Nigeria. An Abuja-based male
escort is in this sense someone who has carved a escort shared his experience in this enterprise
career out of selling his sex services. Otherwise with a correspondent of PUNCH newspaper
known as a male prostitute, gigolo or rent boy, (Sharon Osaji). In his words: “It wasn’t really about
clients can be of any gender. Male clients, the money. It’s something I am naturally good at.
Right from time, I have always been praised by
especially those who pick up prostitutes on the ladies I have been with that I am their best. So, I
street or in bars, are sometimes called johns or