Kwara lawmakers worried over students’ sperm, egg sales
The Kwara State House of Assembly has raised concerns over a growing trend of students in tertiary institutions selling their sperm and eggs for financial survival.
This issue was brought to the attention of the assembly by Hon. Rukayat Shittu, representing Owode/Onire Constituency, who cited findings from institutions such as Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete and Kwara State Polytechnic.
The lawmaker highlighted that students are often lured by financial incentives without fully comprehending the significant medical, psychological, social, ethical, and moral consequences of these actions.
Intermediaries, often medical personnel with connections to the trade, facilitate these transactions. Male donors reportedly earn between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, depending on negotiations.
Egg donation, in particular, carries higher health risks, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), infections, and potential long-term fertility issues due to hormonal treatments and invasive procedures.
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Shittu urged gctions, and potential long-term fertility issues due to hormonal treatments and invasive procedures.
overnment agencies to initiate widespread sensitization campaigns across campuses to educate students about these dangers, protect them from exploitation, and prevent a looming public health crisis.
The motion has elicited mixed reactions from residents. Some, like Yahaya Bola Nurudeen, praised the initiative as timely and crucial for student awareness.
Others, such as Musa Tajudeen, attributed the practice to worsening poverty and called for government intervention to address the underlying economic hardship pushing students to such acts.
However, some residents, like Yakubu Adebayo Jamiu, have questioned the lack of concrete statistics to substantiate the claims.
The Assembly has yet to announce specific resolutions but has indicated that legislative frameworks may be developed to address the issue.