Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over reports that some young Nigerians are resorting to selling their kidneys in a bid to survive the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.
Atiku, in a post shared on X on Thursday, said he had received disturbing accounts of young people allegedly selling body organs, particularly kidneys, to raise money for basic needs.
The former Vice President described the development as deeply troubling, arguing that Nigerian youths should be building businesses, developing ideas and pursuing innovation rather than being pushed into desperate decisions involving their health.
According to him, reports of young people selling their kidneys should trouble the conscience of the country.
Atiku linked the alleged trend to the high cost of living, blaming the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration for making daily survival increasingly difficult for many Nigerians.
He listed food, transportation, rent, school fees, healthcare and electricity among expenses he said had become harder for ordinary citizens to afford.
Atiku also claimed that some young Nigerians were reportedly selling their kidneys for as little as ₦1.7 million.
However, the former Vice President did not identify the report, institution or agency from which the ₦1.7 million figure was obtained.
The claim could also not be independently verified from the information available in the report.
Atiku argued that the country should be creating an environment in which young people can turn their creativity and skills into economic opportunities.
“Young Nigerians ought to be selling dreams, ideas and innovation, not their body organs,” he said.
His comments add to continuing political debate over Nigeria’s economic situation and the impact of rising living costs on households across the country.
