Medical Expert Reveals Over 650 Kidneys Worth $41 Billion Illegally Trafficked in Nigeria

A professor of medicine at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and consultant nephrologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Professor Aliyu Abdu, has revealed that at least 651 kidneys — valued at over $41 billion — were trafficked and illegally transplanted in Nigeria between 2015 and 2020.

Prof. Abdu made the shocking disclosure while speaking at a seminar on National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Standards held in Abuja. He warned that Nigeria has become a hotspot in the global black market for human organs, where an estimated 10,000 kidneys are sold annually.

He attributed the rising trend in organ trafficking to weak regulation and poor enforcement of existing laws. While the National Health Act of 2014 prohibits the commercial sale of human organs and mandates donor consent, Prof. Abdu said compliance remains minimal, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to exploitation.

“Victims are mostly impoverished individuals lured by financial incentives and unaware of the long-term health risks. Many are left without follow-up care, suffering from complications, depression, and poverty,” he stated.

He further revealed that organ trafficking in Nigeria is driven by a sophisticated criminal network involving illegal brokers, ‘organ hunters,’ healthcare workers, and even travel and insurance agents.

According to Prof. Abdu, the absence of cadaveric (deceased) organ donations and the lack of a functional national organ bank are major factors fueling the illicit trade.

He called for urgent regulatory reform, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and increased public education to combat the illegal organ trade and protect vulnerable citizens.