University of Ibadan Raises Alarm As More Female Students Turn to Egg Donation for Income

 

The University of Ibadan has issued a stern warning regarding the escalating trend of egg donation among female students, expressing growing concern over the health risks and ethical implications surrounding the practice, which appears to be increasingly viewed as a quick source of income.

In a memorandum dated April 15, 2025, and made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, the University Health Service addressed the rising participation of students in egg donation programs, particularly for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) purposes. The memo, signed by the Director of the University Health Service, Dr. Aderonke Ajayi, highlights the growing influence of individuals, agents, and agencies recruiting female students for egg donation—a development the institution says has significant medical and psychological implications.

According to the memo, although egg donation has brought renewed hope to families battling infertility, it is not without considerable health concerns. More importantly, Dr. Ajayi warned, it should not be commercialized or perceived as an alternative to stable employment or a regular means of income.

“It has come to our attention that there is a growing trend within the university community involving the participation and/or recruitment of female students as egg donors for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by individuals, agents, or agencies,” the memo began.

While acknowledging the legitimate medical role egg donation plays in fertility treatment, Ajayi emphasized that the procedure demands a cautious and informed approach due to its inherent health risks. She described how donors are often required to take hormonal medications designed to stimulate the ovaries—an intervention that can lead to a range of short-term side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, and more serious complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

“Egg donation involves the use of hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries. This process carries several short-term risks, including abdominal pain, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), infection and bleeding, ovarian torsion, potential injury to the bladder, nearby blood vessels, and bowel and psychological distress,” Ajayi explained.

In addition to these immediate symptoms, the memo draws attention to potential long-term health risks. Some former donors have reportedly experienced prolonged fertility issues after undergoing the procedure. Dr. Ajayi noted that while research is ongoing, there remains a lack of conclusive evidence regarding how many times an individual can safely donate eggs, or who might be medically suitable for repeat donations.

She further advised that egg donation should not occur more than three times within a calendar year, urging students who may still choose to participate to do so through only reputable fertility clinics that adhere to strict medical and ethical standards.

“It is important that our students understand the health implications and long-term consequences of egg donation. We advise everyone to act with caution and prioritise their health over financial incentives,” the director stated.

The University’s health service stressed that the increasing popularity of egg donation among young women is partly driven by financial desperation, a reality that makes them vulnerable to exploitation by profit-driven intermediaries. These agents may not always provide full disclosure about the potential medical risks or ensure that donors are properly monitored throughout the process.

In an appeal to the broader university community, the memorandum called for collective awareness and advocacy to ensure female students are not misled or coerced into risky medical procedures without fully understanding the consequences.

The university urged students to value their long-term health above short-term financial gain and encouraged those facing financial hardship to explore safer, less invasive alternatives for support.

In closing, the health service implored university departments, student organizations, and peer groups to disseminate the information widely and serve as protectors of vulnerable members of the academic community.

“The message is clear,” the memo concluded, “Our female students must not be reduced to egg donors-for-hire. Their health, dignity, and future matter far more than any amount of short-term financial relief.”