Atiku Raises Alarm Over Reported Kidney Sales by Nigerian Youths

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys in desperate attempts to cope with the country’s economic hardship.

Atiku made the remarks in a post on his X account on Friday, where he linked the reported development to the worsening cost-of-living crisis and called for economic policies that would make life more affordable for Nigerians.

He said young Nigerians should be focused on building careers, businesses and innovative ideas rather than being pushed into considering the sale of their body organs as a means of survival.
“Young people should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” Atiku wrote.

He further expressed concern over reports that some youths were allegedly selling their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million, describing the situation as a disturbing reflection of the level of desperation among vulnerable Nigerians.

“When young Nigerians begin to see their kidneys as emergency savings, we are no longer talking about ordinary economic hardship. We are talking about desperation at its most frightening,” he said.

Atiku also criticised the rising cost of basic necessities, including food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicine and electricity, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He acknowledged that Nigeria has laws prohibiting commercial organ sales and organ trafficking but argued that legislation alone would not eliminate the poverty and desperation that could expose vulnerable people to exploitation.

“Economic reform must have a human face. It must mean affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare, decent jobs and renewed hope for the next generation,” the former vice-president stated.

Atiku concluded by promising to pursue policies aimed at reducing the financial burden on Nigerians if elected president in 2027.

“Our young people should be selling their ideas, talents and innovation to the world and not their kidneys for ₦1.7 million just to survive at home. This is the human cost of Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis. Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again,” he wrote.