With over 17 million of its population in search of greener pastures abroad, it is not far-fetched to conclude that Nigeria’s economic clime is not conducive for most of its citizens to thrive. While the obvious destinations remain the United States of America and Europe, a recent influx of Nigerians into Asia has attracted attention. It is easy to see the attraction to Asia, Malaysia especially; from its upwardly mobile economy, its beautiful tourist attractions and food, to its strategic location for regional travel. However, none of these compelling reasons are at the root of the migration, as Nigerians travel to Malaysia to have their organs harvested and sold.
The 2,500 cases of kidney failure reported in Malaysia coupled with the 1.5m people who need organ transplants in China annually has made kidney trading a money spinner. Many claim that this new trade is legit and better for Nigerian youths than the cybercrimes they have become notorious for, but there are attendant risks which are evident in the tales of some of the donors.
Recently, news of Chukwudi, a 28 year old university graduate who died during a kidney transplant in Malaysia broke on the internet, resuscitating the debate on organ harvesting and the ethical issues involved. According to reports, he was paid 6 million naira by a rich man. The operation was not successful as Chukwudi died while the rich man went on to have a successful transplant. However, he is not the first Nigerian youth to have sold his kidney or die subsequently.
In another instance, a Nigerian undergraduate sold his kidney in Malaysia for 10 million naira (about $50,000). On collecting his money, he did not wait for post-treatment but came back to Nigeria to spend the money on drinking and partying. He was reported to have died in a car he bought from the proceeds of his kidney sale.
The human organ business is insanely common among young Nigerian men. Probably due to the over-saturation of the market, cyber fraud is reportedly not as lucrative as it used to be. This might explain why “yahoo boys” (Nigeria-speak for its internet fraudsters) are the ones mostly involved in this trade, as reports indicate. In a survey asking why people think others sell their kidneys, the most common answer was greed. And while this might be true for the larger percentage of those who do it, investigations reveal that a sizeable number have other reasons.
Eghosa, a 31-year old Nigerian reported that he sold his kidney to make ends meet for his family. For him, it was a choice between making the sacrifice and watching his sisters go into prostitution.
In an interview with another young Nigerian man, he confided that he would willingly sell his kidney for $50,000 or even less because it was his ticket to a better life for his family. He explained how he had to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his mother and siblings being the only man around since his father’s death and how hard it is to make the money he needs to make ends meet.
It is not a mere coincidence that the larger percentage of these people are men. The average Nigerian man has responsibilities and dependents. For us, the women liberation movement hasn’t done much. There is so much pressure on these young men to assume responsibility, to impress women, and to gain the respect that comes with having money.
There is a sophisticated online network of vendors, agents, resellers and hunters who actively seek candidates, buying the average kidney for about $30,000 – $60,000 dollars. These people excavate the organs and transfer them to transplant centres to help the numerous people on the waiting list.
It appears it is more profitable to be a vendor than a donor as clients reportedly pay as much as $200,000 for these kidneys, with between $5,000 and $60,000 at most reaching the donor.
While the main culprit is the terrible economic conditions in Nigeria which is not conducive to survival, there is a shred of responsibility to be borne by all stakeholders of the economy. It really is a cause for concern that Nigerians are scattered everywhere around the world, desperately trying to beat all the odds thrown at them by life and the misfortune of hailing from a country with leaders who do nothing to improve living conditions.
