Atiku Decries Economic Hardship Driving Youth to Sell Kidneys

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over reports that young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys to survive the country’s worsening economic crisis.

In a post on X, Atiku said he had heard “disturbing stories” of youths selling body organs, particularly kidneys, for as little as ₦1.7 million.

He linked the trend to rising living costs under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing food, transport, rent, school fees, medicine, and electricity as increasingly unaffordable.

“Young Nigerians should be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs. When they 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,” Atiku wrote.

He acknowledged existing laws against organ trafficking but argued that legislation alone cannot address the poverty and desperation driving vulnerable youths into such practices. Atiku called for reforms with “a human face,” including affordable food, accessible healthcare, cheaper transportation, decent jobs, and renewed hope for the next generation.

His remarks follow recent police reports of organ trafficking syndicates targeting financially desperate youths.

Investigators revealed that suspects, including two nephrologists, allegedly lured victims into hospitals where kidneys were harvested for about $1,250 (₦1.7m).

Atiku concluded with a direct criticism of the current administration: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. I will make Nigeria affordable again.”

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