University of Ibadan Raises Ethical Alarm on Student Egg Donations for IVF

The University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria’s premier tertiary institution, has issued a public warning regarding the growing number of female students donating their eggs for In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures—not out of altruism, but as a source of income.

In a statement that has sparked important conversations around ethics, bodily autonomy, and socioeconomic pressure, the university acknowledged that while egg donation can bring joy to families battling infertility, it should never be reduced to a quick-fix financial venture or a side hustle.

Recent reports indicate a surge in IVF-related egg donations among female university students, especially in urban centers like Ibadan, Lagos, and Abuja. These young women, often in their late teens or early twenties, are being offered sums ranging between ₦150,000 to ₦400,000 per donation cycle—money that can seem life-changing for students struggling with tuition, accommodation, or daily survival.

With increasing cost of living and limited campus job opportunities, egg donation is quietly becoming a go-to option for financial relief—but at what cost?

The University of Ibadan, in its official statement published by the Nigerian Tribune, raised several concerns:

• Health Risks: The physical toll of egg donation is not without risk. Hormonal stimulation, anesthesia, and egg retrieval procedures carry both short-term and long-term implications for young women’s reproductive health.
• Emotional and Psychological Impact: Donating genetic material can have complex emotional effects, especially if done without adequate counselling or full understanding of the consequences.
• Informed Consent: Many students may not be properly educated on what the process entails, raising questions about true consent versus financial coercion.
• Commodification of the Female Body: Turning egg donation into a source of income could lead to the commercialization of women’s reproductive capacities, a slippery slope UI warns against.

UI’s concern touches on a larger issue: how economic hardship is influencing personal health decisions among Nigeria’s youth.

Many young people are now making decisions not from a place of empowerment, but from financial desperation. This raises broader questions about:

• The adequacy of student welfare and support systems.
• Access to ethical medical practices.
• The role of regulatory bodies in overseeing fertility clinics and donor recruitment processes.

To address this rising trend ethically and responsibly, stakeholders must act:

• Fertility clinics should ensure proper screening, counselling, and informed consent protocols are followed.
• Universities and student bodies must ramp up awareness about the medical, emotional, and ethical aspects of egg donation.
• Government and health authorities need to set clear guidelines to prevent exploitation while safeguarding donor rights.

Furthermore, there is a strong case for introducing alternative income opportunities for students, including paid internships, on-campus jobs, and educational funding platforms like PressPayNg’s EduLOAN and scholarship services.

While the gift of life is noble, UI’s position reminds us that every act of generosity must be grounded in awareness, consent, and ethical responsibility. Students should never be forced to choose between their body and their books.

As conversations around youth empowerment and reproductive ethics continue, the focus must shift from temporary fixes to long-term solutions that protect student health, dignity, and future potential.