Flexible Jobs and Paternity Leave Are Bringing Nigerian Dads Into Antenatal Care — Here’s Why It Matters

What if you walked into a busy antenatal clinic in Lagos and saw men standing side‑by‑side with their pregnant wives — not just carrying wallets and car keys, but clapping along to the songs, waiting patiently for the midwife, taking notes and handing over money for vitamins? A few years ago this would have seemed unusual in Nigeria, where pregnancy has long been treated as a “women’s domain.” Yet on a bright February morning in 2025 at the Alimosho General Hospital, journalist Oluwakemi Adelagun noticed something different: men were there, watching their wives stretch and sing and waiting quietly at the edge of the shed. They weren’t just dropping them off. They were present.

A Premium Times investigation published on 14 May 2025 documented this quiet revolution. Men like Chibueze Okoli, a self‑employed father, and Kelvin, an Uber driver, now accompany their wives to antenatal appointments because flexible work schedules and supportive partners make it possible. On the second visit to the same hospital, eight men were in the waiting area while over 60 women took part in the session. The story captured a growing trend: Nigerian fathers are stepping into maternity care because they finally have the time, legal protections and cultural permission to do so. This is masculine maternity redefined, and it’s happening right now.

TL;DR Key Takeaways

• Flexible jobs and self‑employment enable dads to attend antenatal classes. Men with control over their work hours told Premium Times they accompany their wives to appointments because they can set their own schedules. Fathers in paid employment still struggle to attend due to rigid office policies.

• Male participation improves maternal and child health. A 2022 study linked men’s involvement to earlier antenatal registration, more frequent clinic attendance and better emotional support. These factors reduce maternal mortality — an urgent issue in Nigeria where the maternal mortality ratio is 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births.

• Paternity leave is a game changer. Since 2022, male civil servants in Nigeria can take fourteen days of paid paternity leave when their wives give birth; the policy also applies to adoptive fathers. Fathers returning from leave report feeling rested, bonded with their babies and ready to support their partners. Some states, such as Abia, are considering extending maternity leave to six months and giving fathers three weeks of paid leave to bond with their newborns.

• Cultural norms are changing, but challenges remain. Although many men want to be involved, factors such as lack of awareness, long waiting times at clinics and unsupportive workplaces still deter them. HR experts suggest hybrid work structures or proof‑of‑attendance cards to encourage employers to support male participation.

How Flexible Work Is Redefining Masculine Maternity

“Everything has to do with the connection with one’s wife,” explained hotelier Obinna Abara, who has never missed an antenatal appointment. He can attend because he runs his own business; his flexible schedule lets him rearrange tasks without fear of losing income. Premium Times found that self‑employed fathers or those with flexible jobs were far more likely to attend clinics than men with rigid nine‑to‑five roles.

One father, Ebere Agwunobi, said he goes to understand the process and educate himself. Seun Olugbade, a clergyman, said his presence makes his wife happy and that being there is “a thing of pride” for pregnant women. Even men with busy schedules are finding creative solutions: journalist Segun Odunayo attended four sessions and asked his wife to record others so he could watch them later.

These stories are not isolated; they reflect broader changes in Nigeria’s labour market. The rise of gig work, remote jobs and hybrid schedules means more men can accompany their partners without jeopardising their livelihoods. Human resource professionals interviewed by Premium Times suggested formalising this flexibility through workplace policies that offer husbands days off or additional flexible days when they attend a certain number of antenatal appointments. The message is clear: when men can control their time, they choose to show up for their families.

The Benefits of Male Participation in Antenatal Care

Why does it matter if men attend antenatal classes? Research shows that men’s involvement leads to better outcomes for mothers and babies. A study cited by Premium Times found that couples with male involvement register earlier for antenatal care, attend clinics more often and provide more emotional support. These factors are directly linked to reduced maternal mortality.

Nigeria faces one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world; in 2020 it recorded 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births. Most of these deaths are preventable with timely interventions and support. When fathers attend antenatal sessions, they learn to recognise danger signs, advocate for prompt care and share household tasks to reduce stress on pregnant women. They also receive HIV counselling and testing, which some fathers cited as a reason for attending clinics.

Men’s presence also has psychological benefits. Women often report feeling more confident and less anxious when their partners are by their side during pregnancy and childbirth. As one father told Premium Times, “Marriage is teamwork”. This sense of partnership strengthens emotional bonds and prepares couples to co‑parent effectively after delivery.

Paternity Leave Policies: A Game Changer

While flexible jobs are one pillar of this shift, government policies are another. In 2022 Nigeria’s federal government included paternity leave in the Public Service Rules. The circular HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE/RR/650309/3 allows male civil servants to take fourteen working days off when their spouses deliver a baby or when they adopt a child under four months old. The leave can be taken once every two years and up to four times over a man’s career. Officials explained that the policy emerged from years of advocacy and a desire to align with international best practices.

Men who have taken paternity leave describe it as life‑changing. Journalist Eric James Ochigbo told NAN that using his two‑week leave after his daughter’s birth allowed him to rest, cook, care for the baby and bond closely with his wife. He returned to work happy and fulfilled — and wished men could be given more days. Other civil servants reported that before paternity leave was introduced, they struggled to balance work with supporting their wives and often used casual leave to attend naming ceremonies. With the new policy, fathers are less stressed and better able to help, and mothers recover more quickly.

Some Nigerian states are going further. In August 2025 the wife of Abia State’s governor, Priscilla Otti, announced that the state may approve three weeks of paid paternity leave for fathers and six months of maternity leave for mothers. She emphasised that extended leave helps couples bond with their newborns and fosters harmony at home. Such sub‑national initiatives could set precedents for the private sector and encourage broader adoption of father‑friendly policies.

Challenges and Risks to Consider

Despite these gains, barriers remain. Many men still view antenatal clinics as women’s spaces or worry that their presence may disrupt routines. Others cite long waiting times, overcrowded facilities and inefficient service as deterrents. Benedict Oziegbe told Premium Times he would have stayed home if his wife hadn’t insisted he accompany her; he felt the process was poorly organised and time‑consuming.

Workplace culture also plays a role. Some organisations do not offer flexible hours or discourage male employees from taking leave. Human resource consultant Omolaeaeni Afuwape warned that policies take time to implement and questioned whether organisations would bend rules for men. Even with paternity leave policies in place, men may fear stigma or worry about being seen as less committed to their jobs. Research from the Agege Local Government Area found that many fathers who did not accompany their wives cited being busy at work as the main reason.

Over‑automation and over‑reliance on remote work can also be risks. While flexible jobs allow men to attend clinics, they must ensure that digital tools do not replace genuine presence and emotional support. Attending via Zoom is better than nothing, but nothing replaces being physically there to hold a hand or carry a bag.

Essential Skills for Modern Dads

Fatherhood in the age of flexible work and paternity leave still requires real skills. Here are a few to cultivate:

• Empathy and active listening. Men must learn to listen to their partners’ concerns, fears and hopes without judgement. Empathy isn’t a female trait; it’s a human one. Creating a safe space for open communication strengthens relationships.

• Knowledge of maternal health. Understanding antenatal schedules, danger signs (like high blood pressure or prolonged labour) and newborn care helps men advocate for prompt care and share responsibilities. Free HIV counselling and health education at clinics provide valuable information.

• Time management. Balancing work and family life requires planning. Self‑employed fathers often rearrange work tasks around clinic appointments; employed fathers can use paternity leave or flexible hours when available. Setting reminders and sharing calendars with partners can help.

• Advocacy. Men can use their voices to push for family‑friendly policies in their workplaces, churches and communities. Encourage employers to adopt hybrid work policies and paternity leave; support NGOs that promote male involvement in maternal health.

Sectors and Communities Where Male Involvement Matters Most

Male involvement in antenatal care isn’t just about urban hospitals. Research from Lagos’s Agege LGA found that younger husbands and educated men were more likely to accompany their wives. Rural areas and communities with lower levels of education still lag behind. Targeted programmes could encourage men in these areas to participate.

The private sector also plays a critical role. Civil servants now enjoy paternity leave, but most private companies do not offer similar benefits. Technology and media companies with remote work cultures are leading the way by offering flexible hours. Small and medium enterprises could follow suit by adopting hybrid schedules or providing time off for antenatal appointments.

Healthcare facilities themselves must become more father‑friendly. Clinics can offer couple‑oriented classes, ensure waiting areas are comfortable for families, and train staff to welcome men. By making antenatal care a shared experience, hospitals can normalise men’s presence and reduce the stigma.

Is Nigeria Ready for a Fatherhood Revolution?

Sam Altman predicts that AI tools will enable one‑person billion‑dollar companies, but perhaps an even bigger revolution is happening quietly: men are becoming active partners in maternity care. From federal paternity leave to states considering extended parental leave, policy momentum is building. Flexible work patterns are giving men the time to attend clinics and bond with their children. And research shows that male involvement saves lives and strengthens families.

Yet change won’t happen automatically. Cultural norms that assign pregnancy and childbirth solely to women still linger. Many men lack awareness of the benefits of their involvement. To sustain this revolution, Nigeria needs continuous advocacy, education and investment in family‑friendly policies. Employers must recognise that supporting fathers benefits productivity and society. Communities must celebrate men who show up for their partners. And healthcare systems must welcome fathers as equal stakeholders in maternal and newborn health.

The sight of men waiting in antenatal clinics is more than a feel‑good story; it is a sign of a healthier, more equitable future. When fathers attend antenatal classes, take paternity leave and share the responsibilities of pregnancy, everyone wins. Perhaps the next generation will ask, “Were dads ever not there?”