The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission (PLASGEOC) has raised an alarm over young girls in the state selling their egg cells to a fertility clinic in exchange for money to purchase expensive phones and maintain lavish lifestyles.
Widespread Practice Among Students
The commission claims this practice is rampant among women, including tertiary students. Mrs. Dung, Head of Information Unit at the Commission, disclosed this during a Hausa program “Mutattauna” on Unity FM, Jos, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Exploitation and Gender-Based Violence
According to Mrs. Dung, the commission has discovered a fertility hospital where women go to sell their ova. She described the practice as exploitative and a form of gender-based violence. “People who want children go to this facility and are charged higher fees. Young girls now sell their ova to buy expensive phones or fund their lifestyles. If they remove your ovum, they give you either N120,000 or N150,000,” she said.
Awareness Campaign Launched
The commission has since initiated an awareness campaign against the practice in communities and schools to ensure women are protected. “We are creating awareness on the need for people to stop that. We are going to meet the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos on the issue. We have already talked to the Rector of Polytechnic Barkin Ladi, College of Education Gindiri, and University of Education Pankshin. We told students of the danger of such practice and warned them to stop selling their Ova. The problem is rampant not only in communities but in schools,” she added.
Call for Parental Responsibility
Mrs. Dung called on parents and other stakeholders to monitor the movement of their female children, blaming poor upbringing for rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence in various communities. She urged parents to be responsible for their children, warning that whoever found guilty would be made to face the consequences.
