Atiku links kidney sales to Nigeria’s rising economic hardship
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys to cope with worsening economic hardship.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the development reflected the level of desperation among young people struggling with the rising cost of living.
*Atiku
Abimbola Joseph
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys to cope with worsening economic hardship.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the development reflected the level of desperation among young people struggling with the rising cost of living.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the former Vice President said he had heard “disturbing stories” about young Nigerians allegedly selling body organs, particularly kidneys, to raise money.
He said young Nigerians should be “selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs”, describing reports of organ sales as a development that should “offend the conscience of every Nigerian”.
Atiku blamed the situation on what he described as the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the rising cost of essential goods and services was pushing vulnerable Nigerians towards desperate measures.
He cited the increasing costs of food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicines and electricity as some of the pressures facing households.
“Yet young Nigerians are reportedly being driven to sell their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million,” he said.
“That should break the heart of a nation.
“Young Nigerians should be building careers, starting businesses, raising families and pursuing their dreams, not calculating how much parts of their bodies can fetch simply to stay alive.
“When young Nigerians begin to see their kidneys as emergency savings, we are no longer talking about ordinary economic hardship. We are talking about desperation at its most frightening.”
Atiku said Nigeria already had laws prohibiting the commercial sale of human organs and organ trafficking. However, he argued that legislation alone could not address the poverty and desperation that leave vulnerable people exposed to criminal networks.
He called for economic reforms that would improve living conditions by making food and transportation more affordable, expanding access to healthcare, creating decent jobs and restoring confidence among young Nigerians.
“Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku said.
His comments followed recent reports of an alleged organ-trafficking network uncovered by the police.
The Nigeria Police Force recently paraded four suspects, including two nephrologists, in connection with the alleged operation.
According to the police, one of the suspects, Emmanuel Ode, allegedly admitted to recruiting victims. Investigators also said a 22-year-old man was allegedly lured to a hospital in Abuja in April, where his kidney was reportedly removed and sold for $1,250.
The police said the amount was equivalent to about ₦1.7 million at the time.
Investigators further alleged that the syndicate targeted financially vulnerable young people in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.
While the police allegations have provided a basis for concern over organ trafficking, the broader claim that young Nigerians are increasingly selling their kidneys because of economic hardship has not been independently established. The ₦1.7 million figure cited by Atiku was also not attributed to a specific report or agency.
The allegations nevertheless highlight the potential dangers faced by financially distressed people who may become targets of criminal networks exploiting their vulnerability.
