News
Warning! Ibuprofen Linked to Male Infertility, Ulcer
Ibuprofen has a negative impact on the testicles of young men, a study published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found.
Also, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on Tuesday warned against self-medication and particularly misuse of Ibuprofen which could expose one to stomach ulcer.
When taking ibuprofen in doses commonly used by athletes, a small sample of young men developed a hormonal condition that typically begins, if at all, during middle age. This condition is linked to reduced fertility.
Advil and Motrin are two brand names for ibuprofen, an over-the-counter pain reliever. CNN has contacted Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, the makers of both brands, for comment.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade group that represents manufacturers of over-the-counter medications and supplements, “supports and encourages continued research and promotes ongoing consumer education to help ensure safe use of OTC medicines,” said Mike Tringale, a spokesman for the association.
“The safety and efficacy of active ingredients in these products has been well documented and supported by decades of scientific study and real-world use.”
The new study is a continuation of research that began with pregnant women, explained Bernard Jégou, co-author and director of the Institute of Research in Environmental and Occupational Health in France.
Jégou and a team of French and Danish researchers had been exploring the health effects when a mother-to-be took any one of three mild pain relievers found in medicine chests around the globe: aspirin, acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol and sold under the brand name Tylenol) and ibuprofen.
Their early experiments, published in several papers, showed that when taken during pregnancy, all three of these mild medicines affected the testicles of male babies.
Testicles and testosterone
Testicles not only produce sperm, they secrete testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. All three drugs then are “anti-androgenic,” meaning they disrupt male hormones, explained David M. Kristensen, study co-author and a senior scientist in the Department of Neurology at Copenhagen University Hospital.
The three drugs even increased the likelihood that male babies would be born with congenital malformations, Kristensen noted. Tringale noted that pregnant and nursing women should always ask a health professional before using medicines.
Knowing this, “we wondered what would happen in the adult,” he said. They focused their investigation on ibuprofen, which had the strongest effects.
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen is often taken by athletes, including Olympians and professional soccer players for example, before an event to prevent pain, Jégou said. Are there health consequences for the athletes who routinely use this NSAID?
The research team recruited 31 male volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35. Of these, 14 were given a daily dosage of ibuprofen that many professional and amateur athletes take: 600 milligrams twice a day, explained Jégou. (This 1200-mg-per-day dose is the maximum limit as directed by the labels of generic ibuprofen products.) The remaining 17 volunteers were given a placebo.
For the men taking ibuprofen, within 14 days, their luteinizing hormones — which are secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone — became coordinated with the level of ibuprofen circulating in their blood. At the same time, the ratio of testosterone to luteinizing hormones decreased, a sign of dysfunctional testicles.
This hormonal imbalance produced compensated hypogonadism, a condition associated with impaired fertility, depression and increased risk for cardiovascular events, including heart failure and stroke.
For the small group of young study participants who used ibuprofen for only a short time, “it is sure that these effects are reversible,” Jégou said.
However, it’s unknown whether the health effects of long-term ibuprofen use are reversible, he said. After this randomized, controlled clinical trial, the research team experimented with “little bits of human testes” provided by organ donors and then conducted test tube experiments on the endocrine cells, called Leydig and Sertoli cells, which produce testosterone, explained Jégou.
The point was to articulate “in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro” — in the living body, outside the living body and in the test tube — that ibuprofen has a direct effect on the testicles and so testosterone.
“We wanted to understand what happened after exposure (to ibuprofen) going from the global human physiology over to the specific organ (the testis) down to the endocrine cells producing testosterone,” Kristensen said.
More than idle curiosity prompted such an extensive investigation.
Questions around male fertility
The World Health Organization estimates that one in every four couples of reproductive age in developing countries experiences childlessness despite five years of attempting pregnancy.
A separate study estimated that more than 45 million couples, or about 15% of all couples worldwide, were infertile in 2010, while another unrelated study suggested that men were solely responsible for up to 30% and contribute up to 50% of cases overall.
Meanwhile, a recent analysis published in the journal?Human Reproduction Update found that sperm counts of men in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand are plunging. Researchers recorded a 52% decline in sperm concentration and a 59% decline in total sperm count over a nearly 40-year period ending in 2011.
Erma Z. Drobnis, an associate professional practice professor of reproductive medicine and fertility at the University of Missouri, Columbia, noted that most drugs are not evaluated for their effects on human male fertility before marketing. Drobnis, who was not involved in the new study, has done extensive research into sperm biology and fertility.
“There is evidence that some medications are particularly harmful to the male reproductive system, including testosterone, opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, immune modulators and even the over-the-counter antacid cimetidine (Tagamet),” she said. “However, prescribing providers rarely mention these adverse effects with patients when prescribing these medications.
She believes the new study, though small, is “important” because ibuprofen is among the most commonly used medications.
Though the new research indicates that ibuprofen disrupts the reproductive hormones in healthy young men, she thinks it’s possible there’s an even greater negative effect in men with low fertility. The other OTC drugs concerning for potential fathers are cimetidine and acetaminophen. She recommends that men who are planning to father a child avoid drugs for several months.
“Larger clinical trials are warranted,” she said. “This is timely work that should raise awareness of medication effects on men and potentially their offspring.”
Jégou agrees that more study is needed to answer many questions, including whether ibuprofen’s effects on male hormones are seen at low doses and whether long-term effects are reversible.
“But the alarm has been raised now,” he said. “if this serves to remind people that we are really dealing with medical drugs — not with things which are not dangerous — this would be a good thing.”
“We need to remember that it is a pharmaceutical compound that helps a lot of people worldwide,” Kristensen said. He noted, though, that of the three mild analgesics examined, ibuprofen had “the broadest endocrine-disturbing properties identified so far in men.”
In Nigeria, PSN, has also warned against self-medication and particularly misuse of Ibuprofen which could expose one to stomach ulcer.
Jelili Kilani, PSN Chairman, FCT Chapter, gave the indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
He condemned the rate at which people abused the medicine, saying that such uncontrolled usage could bring about body pains and other negative reactions.
The association chief said the consistent use of Ibuprofen could damage the internal body system.
“Ibuprofen is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fever caused by many and diverse diseases, and also for treating menstrual cramps.”
The chairman said that in spite of the positive effect of the drug, with regard to fast relieve of pains, if not used according to prescription it could do more harm than good to our health.
“Ibuprofen should not be taking indiscriminately because it affects the gastro intestinal system and the stomach lining, leading to stomach ulcer.
“Most times, body pains is a manifestation of illness within, and consistent taking of the medicine without medical diagnosis, you are compounding your health challenge.
“Such practice will increase cost of treatment of infirmity, and could be suicidal when detected later.
“We should desist from self-medication and seek medical advice for proper and timely intervention.
“Medicine should be used based on doctor’s prescription, to avoid collateral damage to your body system,” Mr. Kilani said.
He, however, urged the general public to desist from self-medication and consult medical doctors, when faced with any health challenge, for proper diagnosis and medication.
TeamApt Ltd., a subsidiary of Moniepoint Inc. and a leading financial infrastructure provider, has partnered with Awabah, the National Pension Commission’s first licensed Accredited Pension Agent, to expand pension access for millions of Nigerians in the informal economy.
The partnership was unveiled in Abuja at the launch of Awabah’s agent licence, themed “Building Financial Resilience: Securing the Future with Personal Pensions.”
At the event, PenCom Director-General Omolola Oloworaran underscored a major imbalance in Nigeria’s pension system, noting that while pension assets have grown to over ₦27 trillion, the benefits remain largely concentrated among formal-sector workers. She observed that most informal-sector workers—who make up the majority of Nigeria’s workforce—still retire without any form of savings.
This challenge is further highlighted in Moniepoint’s 2025 Informal Economy Report, which reveals that although 65 per cent of informal businesses recorded revenue growth, most lack the structural resilience required for long-term sustainability and succession.
Through the partnership, TeamApt—a Central Bank of Nigeria–licensed switching and processing company—will enable seamless pension registration and contributions for Awabah users via its Direct Debit service on Point of Sale (POS) terminals nationwide. Informal workers can enrol for personal pensions, tokenize their cards, and automate periodic contributions in just a few steps.
The initiative simplifies pension savings by turning what was once a complex, bureaucratic process into a routine transaction, enabling business owners and workers to build financial security beyond their productive years.
“When we started Awabah, we were driven by one core belief—that no African worker should be one accident or crisis away from poverty,” said Tunji Andrews, Chief Executive Officer of Awabah.
“This partnership with TeamApt allows us to scale that vision. By leveraging their Direct Debit service and extensive POS network, we are meeting informal workers where they already operate—markets, workshops, kiosks, and roadside businesses. With small, regular contributions, workers can now access personal pensions bundled with health, accident, and life insurance,” he added.
TeamApt CEO Dennis Ajalie said the collaboration aligns with the company’s long-standing mission to power Nigeria’s informal economy.
“At TeamApt and Moniepoint Inc., our focus has always been on enabling the informal sector,” Ajalie said. “Today, working within our licence framework and alongside our co-subsidiary, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, we operate across all 774 local government areas, serving millions of Nigerians who drive economic activity.”
He described the partnership as a critical step toward pension inclusion, adding that it demonstrates how financial infrastructure can deliver real, long-term value to everyday Nigerians.
Ajalie also praised PenCom’s leadership for creating an enabling environment for innovation, noting that Oloworaran’s reforms have opened the door for partnerships capable of delivering sustainable pension coverage for informal workers.
The initiative is powered by TeamApt’s robust financial technology ecosystem, which has supported banks, fintechs, and financial institutions for more than a decade. Its omni-channel Direct Debit service allows automated recurring collections—such as pension contributions, subscriptions, and repayments—directly from customers’ bank accounts with their consent.
Beyond pensions, the platform enables informal workers to automate investments in the capital market, access healthcare through HMOs, and secure insurance coverage for themselves and their families—extending financial security far beyond retirement.
FlashChange, Africa’s fast-rising digital asset management and cross-border payment platform, had its Chief Executive Officer, Bidemi Oke, featured as a speaker at the latest edition of Startup Grind Lagos, one of the largest global communities for entrepreneurs and innovators.
Held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Lagos, the event convened founders, investors, developers, and ecosystem builders for a candid conversation on innovation, resilience, and scaling technology ventures in emerging markets. Oke shared insights from FlashChange’s journey building a trusted digital finance brand in Nigeria’s evolving fintech and crypto landscape.
During the fireside chat, Oke shared practical lessons from scaling FlashChange in a highly regulated and fast-changing environment. He emphasized the need for startups to build strong governance structures early, maintain open communication with regulators, and design solutions that solve real economic pain points, particularly around remittances, foreign exchange access, and digital asset utility.
“In markets like Nigeria, trust is not a marketing slogan, it is the product,” Oke said: “For us at FlashChange, growth has always been tied to transparency, compliance, and delivering consistent value to users navigating cross-border payments and digital assets.”
He also addressed the broader opportunity within Africa’s fintech ecosystem, noting that innovation on the continent must balance speed with responsibility.
“The next phase of African fintech will be defined not just by who grows fastest, but by who earns and keeps user confidence. Founders must think beyond valuation headlines and focus on building institutions, he added”
“Innovation is important, but sustainability is critical. At FlashChange, we are building for the long term” Oke noted.”
The session featured an interactive Q&A session where participants engaged him on several topical issues. He underscored the importance of proactive communication, especially in industries where misinformation and volatility can quickly erode public confidence.
Startup Grind Lagos Director, Mayokun Adeoti while commending Oke for offering practical, founder-focused insights, he said, “His experience provides valuable lessons for startups building in complex regulatory environments.”
FlashChange has continued to position itself as a reputable voice within Nigeria’s fintech and digital asset ecosystem, advocating for regulatory clarity, financial literacy, and secure transaction infrastructure. The company’s participation in Startup Grind Lagos reflects its commitment to contributing meaningfully to conversations shaping the future of innovation in Nigeria.
The Startup Grind Lagos appearance marks another milestone in FlashChange’s thought leadership journey and reinforces its growing role in Nigeria’s digital finance ecosystem.
News
Galaxy Backbone Confirms Over 150,000 Active Official Government Email Accounts, Clarifies Status of GOVMAIL
Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria’s foremost ICT infrastructure and shared services provider to the Federal Government, wishes to reiterate and clarify the availability, maturity, and ongoing expansion of the Federal Government’s official email infrastructure, widely known as GOVMAIL.
GOVMAIL is a secure and centralized official email platform established for use by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate professional, auditable, and efficient communication across all arms of government.
The platform was launched by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs, Didi Esther Walson-Jack as part of a broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernizing public service workflows and reducing reliance on paper-based correspondence and fragmented, external email services.
Recent statements by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, underscore the strategic importance of GOVMAIL in the wider push towards a paperless civil service.
In late 2025, she announced that over 100,000 official GOVMAIL accounts had been created for civil servants across federal MDAs under an expanding paperless policy and that the transformation reflects a clear shift away from traditional paper correspondence to secure digital communication at scale. Today, that number has grown to over 150,000 Official government email accounts, current in use by government workers across MDAs.
Galaxy Backbone also affirms that these email accounts operate within a protected sovereign government domain environment hosted on secure local infrastructure, supported by enterprise-grade cybersecurity architecture.
The platform underpins centralized identity management and ensures compliance with national data protection standards, reinforcing accountability, audit-trail visibility, and overall digital governance efficiency.
In addition to GOVMAIL, Galaxy Backbone operates secure national Tier III and Tier IV Data Centres, a robust National Fibre Backbone, a Security Operations Centre (SOC), and a Network Operations Centre (NOC) that jointly power mission-critical government digital services. This infrastructure is closely aligned with the Federal Government’s digital economy strategy and its efforts to deepen digital service delivery, transparency, and efficiency across MDAs.
To accelerate adoption and ensure that every government worker who is expected to have an official email has one, GBB is working collaboratively with MDAs to close existing gaps and onboard remaining staff within the shortest possible time. These coordinated efforts reflect the shared objective of equipping public servants with the digital tools necessary for responsive, efficient, and secure inter-agency communication.
Galaxy Backbone remains committed to working with stakeholders across the different arms of government to sustain and build on this progress. The company appreciates the emphasis placed on strengthening digital governance and remains ready to provide technical clarifications and support collaborative engagements that further advance Nigeria’s digital public service ecosystem.
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