Fellow Nurses Africa News Desk || Lagos, Nigeria || 28th May, 2025.
‘Real Men Don’t Do Nursing’ – Netizen Drags Male Nurses, Sparks Outrage.
Imagine sharing a moment of pure joy online, only for it to turn into a heated battle over outdated stereotypes. That’s exactly what happened when Oyindamola (@dammiedammie35) posted a celebration on May 15, 2025, for nursing students at the College of Nursing Science Agbor. These students had just passed their final Council examinations which qualifies them to be registered nurses, a milestone worth celebrating. The video of them in crisp white uniforms, smiling ear to ear, went viral with over 626,000 views and thousands of likes. But the joy was short-lived.
A netizen named AdéWiz™ (@deolar_zeal) left a comment that shocked everyone: “I wonder how men go dey do nurse, your mate dey do doctor.” In other words, “real men don’t do nursing”, they should be doctors instead. This single statement, which got 34,400 views, unleashed a wave of outrage on X, shining a spotlight on the stigma male nurses still face in 2025.
A Comment That Hit Hard
AdéWiz™’s words weren’t just a casual remark, they were a direct attack on male nurses, questioning their masculinity and implying that nursing isn’t a “manly” profession. In many African cultures, including Nigeria, there’s a deep-rooted belief that men should aim for roles like doctors, while nursing is seen as a job for women. But in 2025, shouldn’t we be past this? Apparently not, and the online nursing community wasn’t about to let this slide.
Vincent Esebor, shared a heartfelt response: “Why can’t men be nurses? My dad was a nurse, and a good one.” His words reminded everyone that men have been excelling in nursing for years, despite the stereotypes. Another user, Lawrence Ehilegbu, added a dose of reality: “Doctors will always need nurses. And when nature remembers any patient, it doesn’t matter if the nurse is a female or male. What matters is recovering.” Nursing isn’t about gender, it’s about saving lives.
The Clapbacks Were Fierce
The nursing community and their supporters didn’t hold back. Ayotomiwa Ogunleye threw some serious shade: “I agree with you because not every man will have a shallow brain capacity that can’t fit into practice as a nurse neither a doctor just like you.” Ouch! She called out the ignorance in AdéWiz™’s comment with style.
Another user, NotFriendly went for sarcasm: “I no sure say you dey into Tech true with this kind intelligence.”
Translation: How can someone who claims to be in tech think so backward?
Why This Stigma Hurts
This isn’t just about a mean comment, it’s about the real impact of these stereotypes. Kunle Coded, pointed out something surprising: “Male nurses are hot cakes. Oil companies for their offshore rigs mostly only hire male nurses.” That means male nurses are in high demand for tough, high-stakes jobs. So why are they still being dragged for their career choice?
In Africa, where healthcare is already struggling with underfunding and a shortage of workers, this kind of stigma can scare men away from nursing, a profession that desperately needs more talent, no matter the gender.
Male nurses go through the same tough journey as their female peers: long nights, intense training, and grueling council exams. As Susie said, “If you’ve not written council exams before you won’t understand their joy!” So why should they be shamed for choosing a career that makes a difference?
A Bigger Fight in African Nursing
This drama on X isn’t an isolated incident. It reflects a bigger issue in African healthcare. At the 28th Annual General Assembly of the Nigerian University Nursing Science Association in April 2025, nursing students spoke up about being recognized as nation-builders. They want respect, not stereotypes. Kelvin Ossai, known as the Male nurse on X , a Nigerian nurse and advocate, has also been fighting for years to change how people see nursing, pushing against both stigma and systemic challenges.
Time to Break the Stereotype
The “real men don’t do nursing” mindset isn’t just wrong, it’s harmful. It hurts morale, discourages men from joining the profession, and weakens our healthcare systems. As we saw during International Nurses Week 2025, nursing in Africa is all about innovation, leadership, and growth. Male nurses are a big part of that future. They’re not just defying stereotypes, they’re showing that real strength is in caring for others. Isn’t it time we stop dragging them and start clapping for them?
Join the Fight Against Stigma: Are you a nurse or dreaming of becoming one in Africa? Don’t let stereotypes stop you! Join the largest African nursing community on WhatsApp to share your story, get support, and grow your career. Click here to join: WhatsApp Community for African Nurses. Let’s smash this stigma together and build a brighter future for nursing!
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform, and support the nursing profession.
