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Why Women Need More Sleep Than Men – Neurologists
Neurologists have stated that women require more sleep than men because women’s brains are more active and engaged in multitasking and processing emotions intensely, leading to greater cognitive demands.
They noted that the differences in brain function and hormonal fluctuations influence sleep patterns during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.
The physicians said due to these demands, women’s brains needed additional sleep to recover and perform optimally, emphasising that hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect sleep patterns.
The specialists noted that hormonal changes could disrupt sleep, making adequate rest even more critical for women.
They emphasised that by prioritising sleep, women could enhance memory, mood, and overall cognitive function, which prevented mental fatigue and long-term neurological issues.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
Data from the National Library of Medicine indicates that womenh require an extra 11 to 13 minutes of sleep to balance up while another states 20 minutes of sleep.
A study by Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, United States, revealed that women suffer greater health issues due to lack of sleep compared to men of the same age group.
The research, which examined 210 men and women of the same middle-aged group, concluded that women needed more sleep than men to allow the brain to recover and repair itself from stress brought by daily activities, stating that women who lack sleep are prone to depression, anger and psychological imbalance among others.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Edward Suarez, who is the Lead author of the study, said, “We found that for women, poor sleep is strongly associated with high levels of psychological distress and greater feelings of hostility, depression, and anger.”
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, the neurologists urged the women to get enough sleep to protect their brain health.
A Neurologist and Chairman of the International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training Centre at Chidicon Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Professor Philip Njemanze, affirmed that women needed more sleep than men for a healthy brain and good memories, suggesting 11 minutes extra sleep.
Njemanze, a former Principal investigator of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration for the study of the ‘Brain in Space,’ said that there was wide variability in sleep span, recommending intermittent sleep during the day for women to make up for the extra sleep needed for their brain health.
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He said, “Studying the data, I recommend intermittent naps during the day for women. This would be more attuned to the mode of brain functional computation. This would allow sleep time for creating a memory of prior experience.”
Njemanze theorised that these differences might stem from how male and female brains process light, which could explain why women excel at multitasking while men focus more effectively on singular tasks.
He continued, “This difference could explain some everyday behaviours: women excel at multitasking – nurturing children, cooking, and chatting simultaneously, while men often prefer focused, singular tasks for effectiveness.
“However, this multitasking ‘superpower’ comes with a cost. The vast energy required for women’s parallel brain processing can lead to fatigue, and if proper rest or sleep is not taken, mental health challenges like depression may arise.
“Shockingly, women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, underscoring the need for balanced routines and sufficient rest and sleep.”
He added that simple lifestyle adjustments, like prioritising sleep, could make a world of difference, insisting that the implications go far beyond daily life for women.
Speaking further, a Consultant Neurologist at the Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, Anambra State, Dr Joe Akoma, said that science had confirmed that women not only need more quality sleep than their male counterparts, but they also have a more challenging time getting it.
He noted that societal expectations and lifestyle differences played a role in these discrepancies, however stating that the body chemistry was the real issue.
Although age and stage of life significantly influence sleep changes for both sexes, he noted that female sex hormones affect sleep quality and regulation.
“While these hormones appear to promote better sleep overall, the constant fluctuations with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause lead to disruptions in female sleep patterns and needs, a problem that most biological males don’t have to face.
“Women in nature are overthinkers and would tend to have an increased brain activity more than men. Women tend to multi-task; they do a lot at once and are flexible and so, they use more of their actual brain than men do.
“And because of that, their sleep need is greater. This is because women’s brains are wired differently from men’s and are more complex, so their sleep needs will be slightly greater,” he added.
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Kalu Leads House Delegation to Ogun for Condolence Visit
…eulogizes late Onanuga, ex-speaker Bankole’s mother
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, has described the late Deputy Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, as an irreplaceable parliamentarian known for her vocal nature and friendly disposition.
Leading a delegation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Kalu visited Sagamu, Ogun State, on a condolence mission to the late Onanuga’s family.
Addressing the bereaved, he praised her dedication and influence, noting her unique presence in plenary sessions and unwavering support for her colleagues.
Kalu consoled her mother, Chief Mrs. Comfort Folashade Etutu, and her children, urging them to trust in God for comfort and strength. He assured the family of the House’s continued support and prayed against further untimely deaths in the household.
Earlier, Kalu led the delegation to Abeokuta for the fidau prayers of the late Mrs. Monsurat Atinuke Bankole, mother of former House Speaker Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
He lauded her sacrifices, which contributed to the success of her children, including the former Speaker’s contributions to the National Assembly.
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N800bn Inadequate for Nigeria’s Road Projects, Minister Umahi Tell Lawmakers
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has described the N800 billion allocated to his ministry in the proposed 2025 budget as grossly insufficient to address Nigeria’s growing road infrastructure needs.
Umahi stated this during the 2025 budget defence session held on Friday by the House Committee on Works, chaired by Rep. Akin Alabi.
Speaking candidly, Umahi called for an upward review of the ministry’s budgetary allocation, stressing that the current figure would barely make a dent in the nation’s road development agenda.
“We plead with you to help us. N800 billion cannot do anything for us. It cannot address our road needs, and so we plead with you to help us,” the Minister told the lawmakers.
Umahi who emphasised the importance of adequate funding to complete ongoing projects and initiate critical new ones across the country, also stressed that borrowing was a necessary step to bridge the infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.
The Minister underscored the potential economic impact of infrastructure development, stating that it would create jobs and boost local economies.
“When the nation is in recession, you have to borrow money and invest in infrastructure. That is how you emerge from a recession. Infrastructure is a catalyst for economic activities, and this hunger we talk about will become a thing of the past,” he explained.
“Food sellers, sand suppliers, gravel workers, and others will benefit. Support Mr. President, and let’s borrow money to build infrastructure so Nigeria can be great again,” he added.
In response, Chairman of the Committee, assured Umahi that the committee would summon the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Budget Office to clarify the rationale behind the ministry’s limited allocation.
The session also provided an opportunity for the Minister to address lawmakers’ concerns about the state of roads nationwide, with assurances that the government remains committed to completing ongoing projects.
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NASS Joint Committee Suspends Fire Service Budget Over Irregularities
By Gloria Ikibah
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior has suspended the budget defence of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) following significant discrepancies in the agency’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.
At a hearing chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his counterpart from the House, Chaired by Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, lawmakers flagged irregularities, including contradictory figures and inadequate documentation.
The committee uncovered discrepancies in the procurement of firefighting trucks, with similar units priced at N1.5 billion in one instance and N2.5 billion in another, despite being from the same supplier and of identical specifications.
The FFS Controller General, Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris, attributed the difference to variations in tanker sizes but failed to provide adequate supporting documentation.
Senator Oshiomhole criticized the inconsistencies, stating, “This reeks of over-padding or over-invoicing. Your written submission does not align with your explanation, and we cannot overlook this.”
Lawmakers also raised concerns about unclear contract commitments and an outstanding payment of N603 billion for ongoing projects, which lacked proper specifications.
Oshiomhole emphasized fiscal responsibility, saying, “Every N10 wasted by MDAs adds up. Our duty is to ensure that every naira benefits Nigerians, especially the poor.”
The committee further queried the FFS over unverified revenue remittances. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, but the lawmakers rejected them, demanding proper bank statements and confirmation from the Accountant-General’s office.
As a result, the committee stepped down the FFS budget defence, instructing the agency to rectify its submission. Oshiomhole warned, “Submit a revised presentation with accurate figures, or risk zero allocation in 2025.”
The decision underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to accountability and efficient use of public funds, urging the FFS to address the issues promptly to secure its funding.
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