The University of Ibadan has expressed concern about the rising exploitation of female students, who are increasingly resorting to egg donation for financial gain.
In a memo issued on Friday the University Health Service cautioned that although egg donation is crucial for families facing infertility, it carries health risks and should not be treated as a mere side job by young women.
Director of the University Health Service, Dr. Aderonke Ajayi, signed the internal memo and voiced significant alarm regarding the recruitment of students for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) procedures by individuals, agents, or fertility agencies.
Ajayi noted that there is an increasing trend in the university community regarding the involvement and/or recruitment of female students to become egg donors.
She states that egg donation involves taking hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries, and this process comes with various health risks, both physical and psychological.
She explained that this procedure involves various short-term risks, such as abdominal pain, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), as well as the possibility of infection and bleeding, ovarian torsion, potential damage to the bladder, surrounding blood vessels, and intestines, along with psychological distress.
Ajayi noted that although egg donation has brought hope to couples experiencing infertility, the potential long-term consequences for the donor are not fully understood.
“Some donors have indicated that there can be lasting effects, such as the potential risk of infertility. Research is still unclear regarding who can safely donate eggs and how often it is advisable,” she mentioned.
To reduce health risks, the university advises limiting egg donation to no more than three times yearly and emphasizes the need to choose reputable fertility clinics that comply with rigorous medical standards.
Ajayi encouraged the university community to heighten awareness and make sure that students are not deceived or taken advantage of by organizations pretending to offer simple financial benefits through egg donation.
She cautioned that it shouldn’t be viewed as a reliable long-term income source or a substitute for a secondary job.
The university’s stance occurs within the broader national dialogue regarding reproductive health, the commercialization of bodies, and the financial challenges encountered by young women in Nigeria.
