The federal government has required that all sanitation facilities for organ transplants in Nigeria must be registered and licensed before operation. These facilities also need to establish an independent, facility-based organ transplant committee separate from its medical transplant team. The National Third-Level Health Institution Standards Committee (NTHISC) National Certification and License Program for Examination of Organ Transplant Facilities is in its advanced stages, as well as efforts to establish a national organ transplant registry.
The announcement was announced in Abuja on Thursday, March 6. Standards and guidelines for the establishment and coordination of organ/tissue transplant services in Nigeria. The document was developed under NTHISC by the Organ Transplant Guidelines Group led by Professor Fatiu Abiola Arogundade to provide ethical standards for organ donation and transplantation, donor protection mechanisms, informed consent procedures and organ distribution processes. It covers important areas such as kidney, liver, eye tissue, hematopoietic stem cells (bone marrow), gametes and embryo donation, storage and surrogacy.
During the launch, Adekunle Salako, Secretary of Health and Social Welfare, stressed the importance of the guidelines, noting that “these guidelines provide a much-needed regulatory framework for organ transplantation. Their goal is to restore trust in organ donation in Nigeria by promoting transparency, accountability and compliance with international best practices.” The minister, represented by Director of Hospital Services Jimoh Salaudeen, highlighted the increase in cases of immoral practices and organ trafficking in Nigeria, said: “This document is particularly important given Nigeria’s unique challenges. Recently, we have witnessed unethical organ harvesting and other disturbing events in visceral transplant workspaces.”
He noted that young Nigerians from poverty-stricken backgrounds were victims of organ trafficking. “This sad narrative often talks about young Nigerian victims from poverty-stricken backgrounds who target criminal cartels, induce promises of money or forced life. These cases highlight the urgent need for strict regulations to protect organ donors and recipients. With these guidelines, we expect significant progress in the industry.”
After the publication, Salako announced the steps to implement the guidelines immediately through his representatives. “The authorities will first map and register all medical institutions involved in organ donation and transplantation to ensure that only certified facilities with sufficient capacity are authorized to perform these procedures. An effective monitoring mechanism will be implemented to assess compliance guidelines. In addition, we will establish an organ donation and transplant registration and banking system to simplify the management of organ donation throughout Nigeria.”
He also stressed the need to strengthen existing laws to ensure compliance. “As the legislative landscape of Nigeria on the harvest of ethical institutions is developing, we recognize the need to further strengthen our current laws and prescribe penalties to make detailed violations of this guide and detailed violations of the National Health Act of 2014.
Daju Kachallom, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health represented by Tetshoma Dafeta, described the initiative as a change step in the Nigerian health care sector. “The demand for organ transplants is rising, but moral concerns remain. Without proper regulation, fragile lives are still at risk. These guidelines ensure that organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria are safe, ethical and transparent.”
He further emphasized the importance of responding to challenges such as public awareness, infrastructure deficits and regulatory enforcement. “In order for these guidelines to be truly impactful, we must mobilize health professionals, policy makers, civil society and the public to create a culture in which organ donations can be understood, advocated and ethically managed.”
Chairman of the House Human Rights Committee, Hon. Abiola Makinde assured that lawmakers will support the necessary amendments to the National Health Act to strengthen regulatory oversight, penalties and the overall scope of legislation.
NTHISC Chairman Professor Phillip Abiodun warned that non-compliance with the guidelines would be intolerable. “The organ transplants in Nigeria are too long and have been plagued by violations, exploitation and the lack of a strong regulatory framework. This document establishes a culture of responsibility in the healthcare system.”
He added that the guide aims to restore public trust. “By requiring facility mapping, certification and strict compliance monitoring, we aim to eliminate violations and ensure every transplant under controlled and ethical conditions.”
