Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are allegedly resorting to selling their kidneys to cope with the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku raised the concern in a post on X on Friday, describing the reported development as a disturbing indication of the level of economic desperation confronting young Nigerians.
He cited reports alleging that some youths were offering their kidneys for as little as N1.7 million, saying young Nigerians should be using their talents, ideas and innovations to build their futures rather than contemplating the sale of body organs to survive.
According to him, the rising cost of essential goods and services, including food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicines and electricity, is placing vulnerable Nigerians under increasing financial pressure.
Atiku argued that while Nigeria has laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and trafficking, legislation alone would not address the economic conditions that could expose vulnerable people to exploitation by criminal networks.
He said economic policies should be measured not only by the broader reforms they introduce but also by their impact on the everyday lives of Nigerians, particularly young people.
Atiku said, “I have heard disturbing stories about the extent to which young Nigerians are being driven simply to survive. Perhaps the most horrifying are the growing reports of young people selling parts of their bodies: kidneys in particular, in desperate attempts to raise money.
“Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs.
“Yet when the cost-of-living crisis becomes unbearable, desperation begins to make the unthinkable appear like an option. That should offend the conscience of every Nigerian.”
He criticised the rising cost of living under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the increasing prices of basic necessities were pushing some Nigerians into extreme forms of economic desperation.
Atiku said young Nigerians should be building careers, establishing businesses, raising families and pursuing their ambitions rather than considering how much their organs could fetch to meet basic needs.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that government economic reforms must have a “human face”, including measures capable of making food and transportation more affordable, improving access to healthcare, creating decent employment opportunities and restoring hope among young Nigerians.
“Our young people should be selling their ideas, talents and innovation to the world and not their kidneys for N1.7 million just to survive at home. This is the human cost of Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis,” Atiku said.
He concluded by reiterating his criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, saying: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”
Police Investigate Alleged Organ Harvesting
Atiku’s comments came amid a police investigation into an alleged organ-harvesting syndicate in Nasarawa State, following the arrest of four suspects during a sting operation.
The operation was conducted on August 19 at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Those arrested were identified as Emmanuel Ode, 23; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant at Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital; and David Idoko, 25.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, alleged that Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
Police further alleged that one victim was lured to Wellington Hospital in April 2026, where his kidney was allegedly harvested after he was paid $1,250.
Another victim was also alleged to have undergone a similar procedure in 2022.
The allegations remain subject to police investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
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