Atiku Raises Alarm Over Nigerians Selling Kidneys Amid Economic Hardship

The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys to cope with the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Atiku described the reported development as “the human cost” of economic hardship, saying young Nigerians should be pursuing careers, businesses and innovations rather than considering the sale of their body organs as a means of survival.

In a statement, the former Vice President said reports of young Nigerians selling their kidneys for as little as N1.7m should “break the heart of a nation,” warning that the situation reflects a level of desperation beyond ordinary economic hardship.

According to him, the rising cost of food, transportation, rent, school fees, healthcare and electricity under President Bola Tinubu’s administration has placed additional pressure on Nigerians, particularly young people.

“Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” Atiku said.

He argued that although Nigeria has laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and trafficking, legislation alone would not address the poverty and desperation that leave vulnerable Nigerians exposed to criminal networks.

Atiku also criticised the Federal Government’s economic policies, saying reforms should be measured by their impact on the daily lives of citizens.

He called for measures that would make food, transportation and healthcare more affordable while creating decent employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

The ADC candidate said Nigeria’s young population should be able to build careers, establish businesses, raise families and pursue their aspirations without being forced into desperate measures to survive.

“No government should celebrate ‘reforms’ while young Nigerians are being reduced to selling parts of themselves to eat, pay rent, settle school fees or survive,” he said.