Atiku Raises Alarm Over Youths Selling Kidneys Amid Economic Hardship

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concern over reports that some young Nigerians are selling their kidneys in desperate attempts to raise money and survive the country’s economic hardship.

Atiku, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, expressed the concern in a post on X, saying the situation showed how badly the rising cost of living was affecting young Nigerians.

He said young people should be using their talents, ideas and innovation to build their futures rather than considering the sale of their body organs.

Atiku blamed the situation on the rising cost of basic goods and services under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He listed food, transportation, rent, school fees, medicine and electricity among the areas where Nigerians are facing higher costs.

The former Vice President said reports that some young Nigerians were being driven to sell their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million should concern the entire country.

He described the situation as a sign of serious desperation, warning that unbearable economic conditions could make people consider options they would normally reject.

Atiku said young Nigerians should be building careers, starting businesses, raising families and pursuing their dreams instead of seeing their body organs as a way to raise emergency money.

He also acknowledged that Nigerian laws prohibit commercial organ sales and organ trafficking.

However, he argued that laws alone would not solve the problem if poverty and desperation continued to make vulnerable young people easy targets for criminal networks.

The ADC candidate called for economic policies that would make basic needs more affordable and give young Nigerians better opportunities.

He said economic reforms should provide affordable food, cheaper transportation, accessible healthcare, decent jobs and renewed hope for the younger generation.

Atiku also criticised the Federal Government for celebrating economic reforms while many Nigerians continue to struggle with the rising cost of living.

His comments come amid recent reports and claims about alleged organ trafficking in parts of Nigeria, although some of the claims remain unverified.

He urged the government to focus on improving living conditions so that young Nigerians can use their skills and talents to build their futures.

Atiku said the reported kidney sales represented the human cost of the country’s economic difficulties and called for urgent action to reduce the pressure on vulnerable Nigerians.

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