Over 650 Kidneys Illegally Harvested in Nigeria, Alerts Prof. Abdu

Nigeria is grappling with a shocking revelation as a leading medical expert disclosed that more than 650 kidneys were illegally harvested in the country between 2015 and 2020, feeding into a global black market estimated at over $41 billion. The disclosure was made by Professor Aliyu Abdu, a nephrologist at Bayero University, Kano and consultant at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, during a national seminar on organ and tissue transplantation standards held in Abuja. According to him, Nigeria has increasingly become a hotspot for illicit organ trade, where vulnerable citizens are lured or coerced into parting with their kidneys, often under false promises or dire economic need. Prof. Abdu explained that the figure of 651 illegally harvested kidneys may only represent documented or estimated cases, warning that the actual number could be significantly higher due to the hidden nature of the trade. He stressed that the booming black market, with organs often trafficked through complex underground networks, continues to flourish because of poverty, weak enforcement, and unethical practices within the medical system. The Federal Ministry of Health, in response, reiterated its commitment to curb the menace, noting that it had earlier launched the 2025 Standards and Guidelines for Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Nigeria. At the Abuja seminar, officials announced the formation of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee, which will oversee the implementation of the new regulations, accredit transplant centres, and ensure compliance with ethical and legal procedures. Ministry representatives emphasised that the era of unregulated transplants must end, pledging to clamp down on commercial organ sales and protect both donors and recipients. The move, they noted, aligns with the provisions of the National Health Act and international medical standards. Globally, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has classified organ trafficking as a serious transnational crime, warning of its devastating health and human rights implications. Victims are often left with lifelong health complications, psychological trauma, and no financial protection, while traffickers and intermediaries reap enormous profits. Experts at the Abuja seminar insisted that Nigeria’s fight against the illegal organ trade must go beyond regulation alone. They highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, transparent registries, and economic interventions to reduce the vulnerability of potential victims. Prof. Abdu cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken, the illicit trade will continue to thrive and may further undermine public trust in Nigeria’s health system. The government, alongside medical associations and civil society groups, is now under pressure to intensify action against what has become one of the country’s most disturbing underground industries.