The University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria’s premier higher institution, has raised a red flag over the growing number of female students engaging in egg donation as a quick means of making money.
In a strongly worded memo dated April 15 and signed by Dr. Aderonke Ajayi, Director of the University Health Service, the institution warned that while egg donation may offer hope to infertile couples, it is not a sustainable or risk-free “side hustle.” The caution comes amidst a noticeable rise in financially vulnerable students opting for egg donation in exchange for cash.
Egg donation involves the use of powerful hormonal medications to stimulate egg production, a process that, according to SaharaReporters, carries a range of serious medical risks. These include abdominal pain, breast tenderness, bloating, and mood swings — with more severe outcomes such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), infections, internal bleeding, ovarian torsion, and even injury to vital organs like the bladder and bowel. Beyond the physical dangers, the university also flagged the potential for deep psychological distress and long-term emotional trauma.
“The health implications and possible long-term consequences of egg donation cannot and should not be overlooked. Our students must understand that their bodies are not commodities,” Dr. Ajayi emphasized in the memo.
With the harsh economic realities biting harder and the cost of living spiraling, many Nigerian students are being pushed to desperate measures. In this context, the promise of a handsome payout for egg donation may seem like a golden opportunity. However, the University of Ibadan has urged its students to resist the lure of quick cash and instead prioritize their health and future well-being.
The institution advised that if students feel compelled to proceed with egg donation, they should only do so through certified, ethical clinics that adhere strictly to medical guidelines and prioritize donor safety. This, the university believes, is vital to protect young women from exploitation in an increasingly unregulated fertility market.
Beyond issuing warnings, UI called on government regulators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to address the root causes driving this trend — including economic hardship, lack of adequate student support systems, and the absence of robust reproductive health education.
“Awareness is the first line of defense,” the memo read. “We must collectively work to protect our young women from falling victim to a dangerous cycle disguised as financial empowerment.”
As egg donation quietly becomes a booming underground trade on campuses nationwide, UI’s bold stance is a clarion call for urgent action. It is not only a fight to protect the physical health of students but also a bid to preserve their dignity, choices, and futures.
PIONEER NEWS 