FG Moves To End Organ Trafficking, Unethical Transplant Practices In Nigeria
Nigeria’s fight against organ trafficking and unethical transplant services is gaining momentum, as the Federal Government has vowed to enforce strict standards that protect both donors and recipients.
Through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the government has inaugurated the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC) to regulate transplantation services nationwide.
The committee, led by Professor Philip O. Abiodun, has already developed the 2025 Standards and Guidelines for Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Nigeria, a framework designed to ensure ethical, safe, and globally aligned practices.
Speaking at a stakeholder seminar in Abuja, Prof. Abiodun warned of growing risks of exploitation in the absence of clear protocols, citing cases where underage and impoverished Nigerians were coerced into organ donation, and young women repeatedly recruited for egg donation without adequate health awareness.
“The 2025 Standards and Guidelines are Nigeria’s powerful tool to eliminate malpractice and safeguard public trust in transplantation,” he said, stressing the need for nationwide adoption and enforcement.
Key next steps include a National Registry to track transplant activities, compulsory registration of health institutions and practitioners, establishment of organ and tissue banks, and integration of services into the National Health Insurance Authority scheme to reduce financial barriers.
Dr. Iyore James, President of Clarion Call Care Foundation (CCCF), pledged the Foundation’s support for the reforms, noting that ethical transplantation is vital for saving lives without compromising human dignity.
The seminar, themed “Promoting Safe, Ethical and Accessible Transplantation Practices through Awareness and Stakeholders’ Engagement”, marks the first in a series of regional campaigns to raise awareness and strengthen oversight across the country.
