Effective Counselling Strategies to Address Commercial Egg Donation among Female Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Egg donation has become an increasingly discussed issue among female undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions due to reports of growing participation driven largely by financial hardship and aggressive recruitment by fertility clinics and agents. Nigerian media have reported cases in which female students are offered financial compensation in exchange for donating their eggs, raising concerns among healthcare professionals, education stakeholders, and policymakers about the potential health and ethical implications of the practice. Although egg donation remains an important component of assisted reproductive technology that has enabled many infertile couples to achieve parenthood, repeated donation and inadequate regulation may expose donors to medical complications, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, hormonal imbalance, surgical complications, reproductive health concerns, and psychological distress. This paper examines the concept of egg donation among undergraduate students and analyses the major medical negative implications associated with the practice. The paper argues that while egg donation has legitimate medical value, the increasing involvement of financially vulnerable students requires urgent public health attention. It recommends comprehensive counselling, stricter regulation of fertility clinics, institutional awareness campaigns, and stronger government oversight to safeguard the health and welfare of female undergraduate students.