The management of the University of Ibadan has raised an alarm over the increasing number of female students turning to egg donation as a means of generating income, warning that the practice should not be mistaken for a sustainable hustle or a harmless side venture.
In an internal memorandum issued by the institution’s University Health Service, and signed by its Director, Dr. Aderonke Ajayi, the university expressed deep concern over what it described as a rising trend of young women within the campus community being recruited, either directly or through agents and agencies, to participate in egg donation procedures for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
While acknowledging the role of egg donation in providing hope for many couples facing infertility challenges, the health unit stressed that the practice carries significant medical risks and should not be trivialised or commercialised, especially by individuals who may not fully understand the health implications.
“Egg donation is a medical process that involves stimulating the ovaries through hormonal injections,” Dr. Ajayi explained in the memo. “This process, although beneficial to recipients, comes with several short-term side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, breast tenderness, mood fluctuations, and a potentially serious condition known as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).”
She further noted that the process could lead to complications including infections, internal bleeding, ovarian torsion, and injury to nearby organs such as the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels. In addition, she flagged the emotional and psychological stress that donors may face, particularly when the procedure is done without proper counseling or medical supervision.
Dr. Ajayi added that while some donors recover without issue, there are reported cases of long-term health consequences, including reduced fertility. She pointed out that ongoing research is yet to fully establish the long-term safety of repeated egg donation and that there is still medical uncertainty about how often a person can safely undergo the procedure.
To ensure safety, she advised that egg donation should not be performed more than three times within a year. Students were also urged to only work with reputable fertility clinics that adhere strictly to ethical and medical guidelines designed to protect the health and dignity of egg donors.
“It is important that our female students understand that their health must come before any financial gain. No amount of money is worth risking long-term damage to one’s reproductive system or overall well-being,” the memo stated.
The university management called on the broader campus community to help raise awareness about the dangers of unregulated egg donation and to support efforts aimed at protecting young women from being misled or exploited under the guise of financial opportunity.
As the conversation around fertility and reproductive health continues to evolve in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan is positioning itself as a voice of caution and responsibility, especially for students who may not be fully aware of the potential dangers of participating in medical procedures purely for monetary benefit.