A consultant in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, Moyosore Makinde, has advised adults to prioritise adequate sleep, recommending between seven and nine hours of restful sleep daily to maintain optimal physical and mental health.
Makinde, who also serves as President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria, gave the advice in Lagos during an interview marking the observance of World Sleep Day.
The annual health awareness campaign, observed every March 13, aims to draw global attention to the importance of quality sleep and encourage individuals to adopt healthy sleeping habits.
The 2026 celebration is themed “Sleep Well, Live Better.”
According to Makinde, getting sufficient sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining overall wellbeing, improving productivity and reducing the risk of several long-term health conditions.
She explained that sleep requirements vary across age groups, with infants and children needing significantly more hours of rest to support growth and development.
Adults, however, require an average of seven to nine hours of restorative sleep every night.
Citing guidelines from the World Health Organization, Makinde stressed that consistent sleep deprivation could negatively affect health, safety and overall quality of life.
She noted that modern lifestyles, particularly in fast-paced urban environments, have made it increasingly difficult for many people to maintain healthy sleep patterns.
“The reality is that many individuals are not getting enough sleep,” she said. “Yet sleep is one of the most powerful and essential pillars of health.”
Makinde expressed concern about the growing rate of sleep deprivation among Nigerians, attributing the trend to a number of factors including demanding work schedules, social pressures and unhealthy digital habits.
She identified several common causes of inadequate sleep, such as busy daily routines and economic pressures, excessive use of social media and digital devices, poor sleeping environments, health challenges, unhealthy sleep positions, limited time for rest and relaxation.
According to the physician, prolonged sleep deprivation can have serious consequences, affecting both physical and cognitive functions.
She warned that people who consistently sleep less than the recommended hours are at higher risk of workplace mistakes, poor judgment and accidents.
In addition, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
Makinde emphasised that sleep should be regarded as essential to survival, just like nutrition and hydration.
“Sleep is as important as the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe,” she said.
“It is the period when the body restores energy, repairs itself and strengthens the immune system.”
Highlighting differences in sleep needs across age groups, Makinde said infants and children require far longer periods of rest than adults.
She explained that infants may require 16 to 17 hours of sleep daily, while pre-school and school-age children typically need between 12 and 13 hours to support brain development, learning and emotional growth.
Adults, on the other hand, require seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep to maintain proper bodily function and overall wellbeing.
Also speaking on the subject, psychiatrist and therapist Maymunah Kadiri highlighted the critical role sleep plays in maintaining mental health.
Kadiri, who is the Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, described sleep as a fundamental component of psychological wellbeing.
She explained that quality sleep helps the brain process emotions, regulate stress and improve concentration.
“Sleep is essential for maintaining mental balance,” Kadiri said. “During sleep, the brain rests, repairs itself and processes the experiences of the day.”
According to her, individuals who consistently enjoy healthy sleep patterns tend to show better cognitive performance, stronger emotional stability and greater resilience to stress.
She also noted that sufficient sleep can help reduce symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, making it a critical factor in long-term mental health care.
Kadiri further emphasised that healthy sleep is not just about the number of hours spent in bed but also the quality and consistency of sleep.
For sleep to be truly restorative, she said it should be uninterrupted, refreshing and maintained within a regular daily routine.
Both health experts urged Nigerians to consciously prioritise sleep despite the pressures of modern life, especially in busy urban centres such as Lagos where work, commuting and business activities often extend late into the night.
They encouraged individuals to adopt healthier sleep habits by maintaining consistent bedtimes, reducing screen exposure before sleep and creating comfortable sleeping environments.
Makinde noted that improving sleep habits is a simple but powerful step toward better health.
“In the midst of work, study and business, Nigerians must remember that when we prioritise sleep, we are also protecting our health and wellbeing,” she said.
