Organ trafficking probe exposes regulatory gaps threatening Nigeria’s medical tourism

Nigeria’s growing capacity to perform specialised medical procedures,
including kidney transplants and fertility treatment, is outpacing its
regulatory framework, raising concerns about patient safety, organ
trafficking and the country’s medical tourism ambitions.

Health experts and security analysts who spoke to BusinessDay said
Nigeria has the medical expertise to provide specialised healthcare, but
weak enforcement, regulatory gaps and unregistered facilities could
undermine the sector.

The concerns have gained renewed attention following a Nigeria Police
Force investigation into an alleged organ trafficking and human
trafficking syndicate operating around Abuja and Nasarawa State.

Four suspects, including two nephrologists, were arrested in August over
allegations that victims were recruited under false pretences and that
official documents were allegedly forged to facilitate organ donation.

Police said one of the victims was allegedly taken to an Abuja hospital
in April 2026, where his kidney was removed.

The hospital involved, Wellington Clinics, has denied involvement in any
illegal organ transaction.

It said its role was limited to providing an equipped theatre and
medical environment to a specialist team under a facility rental
arrangement.

The hospital said the donor was admitted as a scheduled kidney donor,
underwent a left donor nephrectomy and was discharged four days later.
It said the kidney was immediately transplanted into a patient with
end-stage kidney failure.

Wellington Clinics said it had suspended renal…