Akinrodoye, a swimming coach, said he was moved by the experience of a friend who nearly took his own life due to depression.

A 2021 UNICEF report showed one in six Nigerians aged between 15 and 24 were depressed, anxious or had other mental health issues.

Medical professionals say the stigma associated with mental health in Nigeria’s culturally conservative society makes it difficult for people to open up.

Akinrodoye who has been swimming professionally for over a decade, started practicing for this feat in October 2023. While he had speculated finishing in 3 hours, he completed the task in 2 hours, 33 minutes.

“We are doing this too so people don’t just think that suicide is the next option,” Samuel told Reuters after finishing the swim in the Lagos Lagoon on Saturday (March 30).