In fertility clinics tucked away in various Nigerian cities, a new kind of economy is taking shape—one that trades in the most personal of human resources: eggs and sperm. Often unnoticed, and rarely talked about in public, it is young Nigerians—mostly students—who are fuelling this quiet but booming market, sometimes at a steep personal cost.
Driven by poverty, desperation, and a lack of awareness, many students are turning to egg and sperm donation as a way to make quick cash. The figures vary. Some receive as little as ₦20,000, others ₦50,000 or more. The amount depends on the clinic, the donor’s age, health, and, in many cases, the involvement of brokers who act as middlemen.
For medical experts and legal professionals, what was once a discreet and medically controlled procedure is now evolving into something more troubling—a loosely regulated market where ethics and health risks are often overlooked.
Speaking at a recent press conference, investigative journalist Dorothy Nwankwo raised alarm about the vulnerability of young donors and the urgent need for scrutiny. “Many of these young people are unaware of the long-term health implications,” she said. “This isn’t just about a quick fix for financial hardship. We’re talking about serious ethical and medical concerns.”
A Cost Too High
Professor Omolade Olomola, a family law and gender justice expert at the University of Ibadan, shared a harrowing account of a female student who was taken from Lagos to Abuja to donate her eggs so she could pay her tuition.
“She was told after the procedure that her eggs were not viable and given only ₦14,000,” Olomola said. “No one informed her beforehand that the procedure was intrusive. She was a virgin. She still suffers from emotional trauma to this day.”
Olomola blames poverty and the erosion of moral values for the growing trend. “Many of these students are simply trying to survive. But what they go through is not far removed from the horrors of baby factories. Phones are seized, doors are locked, and the injections begin,” she added.
Despite not being opposed to regulated egg and sperm donation, she stressed the need for strong legal frameworks and better protection for donors.
Call for Regulation
Dr. Bukumi Kolade, Chief Medical Director of Vine Branch Medical Centre in Ibadan, supports stricter regulations. He believes that guidelines must be established regarding who can donate, how often, and under what medical supervision.
“Without a national policy, responsible clinics must self-regulate,” he said. “Donors should not be allowed to donate more than a set number of times in a year or in their lifetime. Each case should be reviewed by an ethics committee within the clinic.”
Kolade likened the trend to blood donation, where commercial motivations often outweigh altruism. “Just as people sell blood for money, people are now selling eggs and sperm. The practice won’t stop overnight, but we must educate them. They need to know what they’re getting into.”
He warned of several potential health risks associated with egg donation, including urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, and hormonal reactions. “Each procedure may carry a small percentage of risk, but the more often they donate, the more those risks add up.”
Behind Closed Doors
Dr. Olalekan Ogunlowo, CEO of Zenith Hospital in Ibadan, echoed those concerns. He acknowledged that egg and sperm donations are not new, but expressed dismay at how younger Nigerians now see them as a means of survival.
“Young people between 18 and 22 are the main players in this space now. They are being lured in because of money, and some clinics are turning a blind eye to the dangers,” he said. “Some medical practitioners are enabling this because of financial incentives. It’s sad.”
Ogunlowo called for proper regulation and stressed that any legislative intervention must involve medical professionals. “The procedures happen in hospitals, so you can’t regulate without the doctors,” he said.
He explained that repeated donations can have long-term health impacts, such as hormonal imbalances, infertility, and chronic pain. “Some men might end up with issues like early ejaculation or low sperm count. For women, there’s the risk of never being able to conceive again,” he added.
Students at Risk
Public health expert Dr. Abiola Ajibola said students should be made to understand the emotional consequences of donating their fertility for money. “If a young woman donates her eggs and later can’t conceive when she’s ready, the emotional trauma could be unbearable,” she warned.
She called on the National Assembly to intervene with legislation, urging the closure of fertility clinics found exploiting students. “We need sperm and egg banks that are run under strict regulations. Donation should be voluntary—not a trade for survival,” she added.
Leave a Reply