August 3, 2025
General

Islamic Professionals Urged to Champion Ethical Organ Donation Over Commercial Sales

Lagos, July 28, 2025 

A strong call for the promotion of ethical organ donation practices echoed through Lagos at the National Conference of The Companion, an association of Muslim professionals, as experts and religious scholars warned against the commercialisation of human organs in Nigeria.

A keynote speaker at the event, a medical doctor, urged Nigerians to uphold the sanctity of life by voluntarily donating organs rather than engaging in illegal sales. The message, encapsulated in the phrase “donate, don’t sell,” resonated deeply among participants, sparking intense discourse on the growing trend of organ trafficking across the country.

The conference served as a rare platform for Islamic professionals to critically examine the moral, legal, and religious implications of organ transplantation. Islamic scholars at the event clarified that organ donation, when done for the sole purpose of saving lives and within lawful procedures, aligns with Islamic teachings. However, they condemned the illegal and profit-driven harvesting of human organs as a grave ethical violation.

Speakers expressed concern over the exploitation of economically vulnerable Nigerians, many of whom fall victim to transnational trafficking syndicates. They called for greater collaboration between healthcare institutions, religious leaders, and law enforcement agencies to ensure public awareness, regulatory compliance, and protection of donor rights.

The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to champion ethical practices and advocate for policies that prioritise humanity and faith in the evolving discourse around organ donation in Nigeria.