The Kwara State House of Assembly has raised alarm over reports that some students in tertiary institutions across the state are selling their sperm and eggs to make ends meet.
The concern was brought to the floor by Rukayat Shittu, member representing Owode/Onire Constituency, who cited disturbing findings from Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and Kwara State Polytechnic.
According to her, desperate students are being lured by intermediaries—often medical personnel with connections to fertility networks—who link them with paying clients. Male donors are said to receive between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 depending on negotiations, while female students face even greater risks.
Shittu warned that egg donation, in particular, carries serious medical dangers, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), infections, and potential long-term fertility complications resulting from hormonal treatments and invasive procedures.
She described the development as a looming public health crisis with medical, psychological, social, and moral implications, stressing that many students are blinded by immediate financial gain without considering long-term consequences.
The lawmaker urged government agencies and health authorities to launch urgent sensitisation campaigns across campuses to protect students from exploitation.
The motion has generated mixed reactions among residents. While some praised it as a timely intervention, others questioned the lack of concrete statistics to support the claims.
One resident, Yahaya Bola Nurudeen, commended the Assembly, saying: “This is one of the good and important motions. Students must be sensitised about the implications.”
Another resident, Musa Tajudeen, blamed the trend on poverty, noting: “Ninety percent of them know the implications, but poverty is what does not make them think straight. Government needs to address what is pushing people to this act.”
The Assembly has called for closer monitoring of the situation and proactive steps to prevent the practice from escalating further.
