4 Reasons Why Nigerian Women Have Stopped Wearing Bras

 

In hot, humid weather like ours, people often choose lighter, less restrictive clothing, and for some, that means a bralette, camisole, or nothing under a top at all.

For many women, bras are simply uncomfortable, something they tolerate, not enjoy.
The tight bands, strap marks, and unforgiving underwires make bras more of a necessary evil than a comfort accessory. Some even joke that if the underwire is metal, one wrong move and you might puncture a lung. It’s no wonder many

Nigerian women are rethinking the need for them entirely.

October 13 marks National No Bra Day, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer and encouraging early detection. While National No Bra Day aims to promote breast cancer awareness and body acceptance, the narrative takes a different turn in Nigeria, where some women have reportedly faced harassment and even alleged arrest for going braless.

Not long ago, social media went wild over reports that a security group in Anambra State planned to arrest women for going out without bras or underwear. A video even showed an official claiming, in Igbo, that the instruction came from Governor Chukwuma Soludo. The story sparked outrage, until the government publicly denied and debunked the rumour.

There was also a viral video of female students in Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) being physically checked for bras before exams. What happened to privacy, dignity, and the appropriateness of dress-code enforcement in schools?

The bra debate has become a hot topic across Nigerian social media and podcasts, sparking heated arguments about morality, fashion, and control. Some critics claim that women who go braless are tempting or distracting men, accusing them of assaulting men with their nipples.

On the women’s side, there were plenty of reasons why they don't wear bras, and here are some of the most common:

Comfort

A large consensus was comfort, and it's logical. In hot, humid weather like ours, people often choose lighter, less restrictive clothing, and for some, that means a bralette, camisole, or nothing under a top at all.

Cost

Bras can be expensive, and this is a real consideration where budgets are tight. Low-cost underwear markets don’t always carry well-fitting, supportive options for all body types, and when the available bras are uncomfortable or ill-fitting, many women simply stop wearing them. A quality bra for average bust sizes can now cost ₦20,000, and for fuller cups, prices climb to ₦50,000 or more.

When we spoke to Mrs. Sobona Kabirat Moninuola, a Lagos-based bra vendor, she revealed that bra sales have dropped by nearly 50% since mid-2024. According to her, the sharp decline is largely due to rising prices. She said:

Customers who used to buy four bras between 2020 and 2023 now settle for just one.

She added that stock that previously sold out within three weeks now sits on her shelves for three months or more, gathering dust.

Fashion fits

Let’s be honest, the fashion girlies aren’t about to sacrifice their style on the altar of societal expectations. In this era of crop tops and cut-outs, why ruin the vibe with a bra? For many younger Nigerian women, it’s about clean lines and comfort. They’re choosing styles that prioritise aesthetic and layering over conventional undergarments.

Body positivity

The phrase “my body, my choice” captures why many women go braless, as a statement of body positivity, self-ownership, and resistance to societal control. But as always, the internet is divided on this; some see it as empowerment and awareness, while others brand it indecent or attention-seeking.

Men’s opinions on Nigerian women going braless are divided. While some find it appealing or unbothered, others insist it breaches public decency standards. Even those who acknowledge that bras can be uncomfortable argue that visible nipples, areolas, or nipple piercings in public make them uneasy.

Ultimately, two truths can exist side by side. Bras aren’t the most comfortable thing to wear, but public decency and context still matter. As conversations around body autonomy continue, perhaps the goal isn’t choosing one truth over the other, but learning how to coexist with both respectfully.