Former Vice-President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over reports alleging that some young Nigerians are considering selling their kidneys as they struggle with the country’s worsening economic conditions.
Atiku described the reports as disturbing, saying they point to the extreme level of financial pressure facing vulnerable Nigerians amid rising living costs.
According to the former vice-president, he had received reports suggesting that some young people were allegedly turning to the sale of human organs as a desperate means of raising money to meet their basic needs.
He further claimed that some individuals were allegedly being offered about ₦1.7 million for a kidney. However, the reported amount has not been independently verified, and the allegation should therefore be treated with caution.
Atiku linked the alleged development to the increasing cost of essential goods and services, including food, transportation, housing, education, medicines and electricity.
He attributed much of the economic pressure to policies implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the impact of rising costs has placed significant strain on households, particularly young Nigerians and other economically vulnerable groups.
The ADC presidential candidate also noted that Nigeria has laws prohibiting the commercial exploitation and trafficking of human organs. However, he argued that legal enforcement alone would not resolve the socioeconomic conditions that could make vulnerable people susceptible to exploitation.
He called for broader economic measures focused on reducing the cost of food and transportation, improving access to affordable healthcare, creating decent employment opportunities and raising the overall standard of living.
Atiku stressed that young Nigerians should be given opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods rather than being pushed into desperate choices.
“Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president’s comments have drawn attention to the broader relationship between economic hardship, poverty and the vulnerability of individuals to illegal organ trafficking.
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While the alleged kidney-sale figure remains unverified, the issue highlights concerns about the need for stronger protection for vulnerable Nigerians and policies capable of addressing the economic pressures confronting households across the country.
[…] Atiku Raises Alarm Over Alleged Kidney Sales Amid Nigeria’s Economic Hardship […]