By Emmanuella Oghenetega
In move to curb unethical and illegal organ and tissue transplantation practices in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has inaugurated the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC), in line with the provisions of the National Health Act 2014.
The committee, chaired by Professor Philip O. Abiodun, is tasked with developing national standards and guidelines for organ and tissue transplantation.
Recall, this committee, comprising distinguished Nigerian health professionals at home and in the diaspora, unveiled the 2025 Standards and Guidelines for Establishing and Coordinating Organ/Tissue Transplantation in Nigeria in March 2025. This document provides a framework for safe, ethical, and globally aligned transplantation practices.
As part of efforts to disseminate the guidelines and raise awareness, the Ministry, in collaboration with Clarion Call Care Foundation (CCCF), convened a one-day stakeholder seminar in Abuja.
Delivering his keynote address, Chairman NTHISC Prof. Abiodun stressed that the seminar marked the first in a series of regional dissemination events. He warned that without clear protocols and ethical standards, Nigeria risks unsafe practices, exploitation, and a loss of public trust.
“The 2025 Standards and Guidelines are Nigeria’s powerful tool to regulate every aspect of organ and tissue transplantation—ensuring donor and recipient safety, maintaining quality care, and eliminating malpractice and unethical conduct,” he said.
Prof. Abiodun drew attention to disturbing reports of exploitation, including cases of underage and impoverished Nigerians being coerced into organ donation, and young female undergraduates repeatedly recruited to donate eggs for assisted reproduction without adequate health risk awareness. He described these cases as stark reminders of the dangers posed by weak regulation.
He emphasized that the true impact of the guidelines depends on nationwide adoption and enforcement:
“Every facility offering transplantation services, every regulatory body, transplant surgeon, ethics committee, policymaker, and civil society organization must commit to upholding these standards,” he declared.
The NTHISC Chairman further reiterated that the ethical foundation of the guidelines, which require voluntary and informed consent; prohibit organ trafficking and commercial dealings, and guarantee equitable access to transplantation services regardless of socioeconomic status.
Highlighting next steps, Prof. Abiodun announced: Registration of all health institutions and practitioners involved in organ transplantation to strengthen compliance and service quality.
Establishment of a National Organ Donation and Transplantation Registry to track activities, monitor outcomes, and support research.
Plans to set up organ and tissue banking facilities for improved availability and timely access.
Ongoing efforts to integrate transplantation services into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) framework to reduce patient financial burden.
He called on philanthropists, development partners, and the private sector to support these transformative initiatives through funding, technical expertise, and advocacy.
Prof. Abiodun commended the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju S. Kachallom, mni, and the Clarion Call Care Foundation for their support of the Committee’s work.
In her remarks, Dr. Iyore James, President of CCCF, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to promoting ethical practices and improved standards in transplantation.
The seminar, themed “Promoting Safe, Ethical and Accessible Transplantation Practices through Awareness and Stakeholders’ Engagement”, highlighted the importance of collective action in building a safe and equitable transplantation system in Nigeria.
