Are Brothels Legal in Nigeria?

The concept of brothels and the purpose they serve is kind of a slippery slope in Nigeria. And while you're not likely to find a building that has a signpost that says "Brothel" around, everyone at some point has seen a building in a corner of town that, for all intents and purposes, is exactly what a brothel is.

But there is also quite an ingrained misconception in the minds of many people about what exactly a brothel is. To such, a hotel and a brothel are essentially the same thing. Nothing is farther from the truth though.

What is a Brothel?

Quite simply, a brothel is a place where customers pay to have sex with prostitutes. The business model is that simple. In countries where prostitution is legal, brothels are a thriving business and well recognized and distinguishable from a hotel.

So, are they legal though? Well, to answer that, one has to answer an even more basic question first:

Is prostitution legal in Nigeria?

Well, there's your slippery slope again. While there's a full-fledged National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes, (NANP) the government of Nigeria still doesn't recognize them as a legal entity.

According to their Wikipedia page, NANP "was formed out of opposition to the country's prostitution laws which criminalize sex work and all of its related activities. NANP campaigns for equal access to healthcare, a safe work environment and protection from abuse and exploitation."

So, are brothels legal?

Well, technically, no. Seeing as the business model is built on prostitutes - and they're not exactly legal entities in these parts - the legality of brothel is suspect.

The slippery slope stems from the fact that the business seems to be thriving in various cities across the country. And, while morality and religious beliefs may may continually get roped into debates centred around the essence and legality of such a business, they have been a part of the human story since forever.

But as far as Nigeria laws currently stand, a brothel -like prostitution - is an illegal system.

By the way, it is not the same thing as a hotel. Get a grip.