Why Nigerian Professions And Businesspeople Must Make Sleep A Priority This 2025 World Sleep Day, And Beyond (OPINION)

By Isaac Asabor

In the bustling cities of Nigeria, where life never seems to pause, professionals and businesspeople often find themselves on a relentless hamster wheel. They rise before the crack of dawn, hitting the road by 5:30 a.m., only to return home late at night, often near 10:00 p.m. This grueling schedule has become the norm for many, a symbol of dedication and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges. But at what cost?

The World Sleep Day 2025, observed globally on Friday, March 14, with the theme “Making Sleep Health a Priority,” it is crucial for Nigerian professionals and businesspeople to rethink their approach to rest. Sleep is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Prioritizing sleep can have profound effects on health, productivity, and overall well-being.

Nigeria’s economic demands and rapid urbanization have fostered a culture that glorifies overworking. Cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt never sleep. The daily hustle involves long hours in traffic, demanding workloads, and balancing multiple responsibilities. While this tireless pursuit of success is commendable, it has led to widespread sleep deprivation among professionals, which, in turn, affects both individual performance and national productivity.

Without a doubt, insufficient sleep is no longer just an individual concern, it is a public health issue. According to global studies, poor sleep is linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and weakened immunity. Mental health is also at risk, as sleep deprivation can lead to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Many professionals wake up exhausted, stressed, and unable to function at their peak, creating a cycle of diminished performance.

Looking at this issue from the perspective of the science of sleep and productivity, there is no denying the fact that sleep is fundamental to physical and mental restoration as it healthily affects cognitive recharge. This is as the brain consolidates memories and processes information during sleep, enhancing focus and decision-making.

In a similar vein, sleep engender physical recovery as it allows the body to repair tissues, regenerate cells, and strengthen the immune system.

Again, sleep promotes emotional stability as a lack of sleep increases irritability, anxiety, and burnout, all of which negatively impact workplace relationships and performance.

Ironically, sacrificing sleep to meet work demands often leads to diminishing returns. Sleep-deprived employees are more prone to errors, slower in completing tasks, and less creative in problem-solving. Therefore, prioritizing sleep fosters efficiency, innovation, and overall workplace effectiveness.

It is unarguably against the foregoing backdrop that Mouka Nigeria is leading the charge on sleep awareness. To mark World Sleep Day 2025, Mouka Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and the National Association of Orthopaedic and Manual Therapists (NAOMT), has taken proactive steps to raise awareness about sleep health. The company, known for providing high-quality sleep products, has long championed sleep education in Nigeria.

Mouka’s Managing Director, Mr. Femi Fapohunda, emphasized the brand’s commitment to well-being: “Since 1959, we have been adding comfort to life, not just through our products but also through sleep education initiatives. We commemorate World Sleep Day annually and invest in campaigns that help Nigerians embrace a healthy sleep culture.”

Medical experts have also reinforced the significance of good sleep. Dr. Felix Odusanya, PT National President of NSP, highlighted how many Nigerians prioritize work, social media, and other activities over rest, often to their detriment. “Neglecting sleep can have severe consequences on overall health. Good sleep requires a comfortable and conducive sleep surface, such as those provided by Mouka,” he said.

Similarly, Professor Ojoawo Adesola Ojo, President of NAOMT, stressed that “Making sleep a priority involves self-discipline. It enhances productivity, emotional stability, and immunity. Quality sleep leads to better memory, improved performance, and a lower risk of heart disease.”

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is germane to opine that Nigerian professionals and business people who hardly sleep need to take actionable steps. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as World Sleep Day is not just about awareness. It is about action. Thus, the practical steps for Nigerian professionals and business people to take to make sleep a priority cut across acknowledging that sleep is essential, carrying out educational and advocacy activities about the expediency of sleep and creating sleep-friendly environments.

Explanatorily put, recognizing that sleep is not wasted time but an investment in health and success is crucial. Therefore, there is the need for everyone to be committed to making it a non-negotiable part of daily routines.

In a similar vein, organizations should promote sleep education through workshops, webinars, and awareness campaigns, even as employers can encourage employees to prioritize rest as part of workplace wellness initiatives.

In fact, both at home and in the office, individuals should optimize their sleep spaces by investing in comfortable bedding, reducing noise levels, and ensuring proper lighting.

Also, going to bed and waking up at the same time daily helps regulate the body’s internal clock. This habit improves sleep quality and overall well-being, even as there is the need to limit screen time before bed, as well as avoiding heavy meals late at night, and establishing bedtime rituals such as reading or meditation to signal the body that it is time to rest.

At this juncture, it is germane to opine that corporate Nigeria must lead by example. This is as corporate organizations play a vital role in prioritizing sleep health, and they can improve on it by implementing workplace policies that promote well-being, and which can enhance employee performance and job satisfaction. Some strategies include, flexible work hours. In fact, allowing employees to optimize their schedules can help them maintain a better work-life balance. Against the backdrop of the foregoing, companies can collaborate with health professionals to provide sleep assessments and resources.

Also, companies can resort to encouraging breaks, more than ever before as it is a culture that values rest and rejuvenation will see long-term gains in employee productivity and morale.

In fact, as the theme for World Sleep Day 2025 suggests, sleep health must become a priority. Nigerian professionals must shift their mindset from viewing sleep as a luxury to seeing it as a vital part of their daily routine. Proper rest enhances efficiency, reduces health risks, and ultimately leads to a better quality of life.

Ultimately, the true essence of World Sleep Day lies in its power to inspire change. By making sleep a priority, Nigerian professionals can reclaim control over their lives, boost their careers, and contribute to a healthier, more productive nation. Sleep is not just a biological function; it is the foundation upon which success is built.

As March 14 is few hours away, let us embrace the opportunity to dream big and sleep better, because the future depends on it.