Lawmaker Raises Alarm As Students Sell Sperm, Eggs To Survive In Kwara

The Kwara State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the growing practice of sperm and egg sales among students of tertiary institutions in the state.

During plenary on Wednesday, September 10, Hon. Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu, member representing Owode/Onire Constituency, raised a motion on the trend, citing reports from Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and Kwara State Polytechnic.

She warned that many students now sell their sperm and eggs as a means of survival amid economic hardship, without adequate knowledge of the medical, psychological, social, and moral risks involved.

“I led the debate on the need for government attention on the rising trend of unregulated sperm and egg donation in Kwara State,” Hon. Shittu said.

“Many students, due to financial hardship, are lured by monetary incentives without a proper understanding of the medical, psychological, social, ethical, and moral consequences of their actions.”

The lawmaker noted that egg donation carries serious health risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), infections, and long-term fertility complications due to hormonal stimulation and surgical procedures.

She called for urgent government intervention through sensitisation campaigns across campuses to protect students from exploitation.

The motion has stirred reactions from residents. While some commended the initiative, others demanded concrete data to support the claims.

Yahaya Bola Nurudeen described the motion as timely, stressing the need for government-backed awareness. “This is one of the good and important motions. Students must be sensitized about the implications,” he said.

Musa Tajudeen, however, linked the development to worsening poverty among youths. “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,” he argued.

On his part, Yakubu Adebayo Jamiu queried the absence of statistics to support the claims. “I was expecting some figures to justify the rise we are talking about. Do we have any data on sperm and egg donors in the state?” he asked.

Another resident, Usman Zulkarnaini, stressed that sensitisation was long overdue. “This is a key issue that really needs urgent sensitisation. No stone should be left unturned in curbing this notorious practice in our society today,” he said.