By Ijeoma Agbafo
The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (PLASGEOC) has raised alarm over what it described as a growing trend of young women and tertiary institution students selling their egg cells (ovaries) at fertility facilities across the state in exchange for money.
The Commission’s Head of Information Unit, Nene Dung, disclosed this during a Hausa programme, Mutattauna, on Unity FM, Jos. She described the practice as exploitative and classified it as a form of gender-based violence requiring urgent attention.
According to her, the Commission has identified at least one fertility hospital where the transactions reportedly take place. She said women seeking fertility treatment pay higher fees, while young donors receive between ₦120,000 and ₦150,000 per egg retrieval procedure.
“Young girls now sell their ovaries to buy expensive phones or fund their lifestyles,” she said, adding that the practice was becoming increasingly common among students in higher institutions across the state.
PLASGEOC further noted that the trend has been observed in institutions including the University of Jos, Plateau State Polytechnic in Barkin Ladi, the College of Education in Gindiri, and the University of Education in Pankshin. It said awareness campaigns have been launched in schools and communities to address the issue.
The Commission added that it has engaged school authorities and plans to meet the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos as part of wider intervention efforts, warning students about the health and ethical risks involved.
Dung called on parents and guardians to exercise greater supervision over their children, attributing the trend partly to poor parental guidance and wider societal pressures. She warned that those involved could face consequences, while reiterating the Commission’s campaign slogan: “Plateau girls are not for sale.”
