Lawmakers raise alarm over unregulated sperm, egg donation in Kwara

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

Kwara lawmakers have raised concern over the rising trend of unregulated sperm and egg donation in the state.

This followed a motion moved by Hon. Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu (Owode/Onire) and seconded by Hon. Saidu Baba Ahmed (Banni/Adena/Gwanabe/Gwaria) during plenary on Wednesday.

Leading the debate, Shittu explained that sperm donation involves a man voluntarily providing semen to help another individual or couple achieve pregnancy, while egg donation entails extracting a woman’s eggs for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF).

She expressed concern that the practice is increasingly common among youths, especially students, who engage in unregulated donations for financial gain without understanding the medical, psychological, social, and ethical implications.

The lawmaker warned that young people are being lured by unlicensed clinics and agents into selling reproductive materials, often without parental consent or proper medical guidance.

She noted that while sperm and egg donation are medically recognized under Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), indiscriminate or repeated procedures expose donors to infections, hormonal imbalance, reproductive complications, and possible infertility.

Shittu stressed that society’s future stability depends on the health, morality, and psychological well-being of its youth, calling for urgent sensitization, guidance, and policy action.

The lawmakers urged parents, guardians, and religious leaders to counsel youths on reproductive health and values, while appealing to the governor to direct the Ministry of Health to issue formal guidelines for regulating sperm and egg donation in Kwara State.