Surrogacy is increasingly gaining acceptance in Nigeria as more couples facing infertility turn to assisted reproductive options in their search for parenthood, despite the absence of a clear legal framework governing the practice.
The lack of legislation has raised ethical concerns, particularly over possible exploitation of women and girls from low-income backgrounds, in contrast with countries such as South Africa where surrogacy is formally regulated.
For Nancy Umeh and her husband, the journey to parenthood lasted eight years and was marked by repeated heartbreak, miscarriages, and multiple fertility treatments before they eventually considered surrogacy.
“We had lost all hope; we tried for eight years. We started trying, and we discovered that something was wrong,” Umeh said.
She explained that complications linked to her uterus led to repeated pregnancy losses and several rounds of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), which eventually resulted in the decision to pursue surrogacy.
“Miscarriages started happening shortly after. It was the miscarriages that eventually led us into several rounds of IVF and, ultimately, surrogacy when we discovered that it was my uterus that was not allowing the baby to stay,” she added.
Her experience reflects a growing trend among Nigerian couples who, after years of infertility struggles, are turning to surrogacy as an alternative path to parenthood.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in six people globally experience infertility at some point in their lives, a reality that has increased demand for assisted reproductive solutions.
Medical experts saud surrogacy is gradually expanding across West Africa, including Nigeria, though much of the practice remains under-reported and operates discreetly.
Medical sonographer Abiola Adewusi, who has over 20 years of experience in fertility care, explained that surrogacy is often misunderstood and should not be confused with egg donation.
“If a patient presents with infertility and the doctor recommends a donor, it doesn’t mean we are harvesting all of the donor’s eggs and leaving her without any for her own future use,” she said.
She clarified that surrogacy is a structured medical process involving assisted reproduction, where embryos are created in a laboratory using the intended parents’ eggs and sperm before being transferred to the surrogate.
“So we are using the eggs and sperm of the patients, the intended parents, and fertilising them in the lab, then placing the developed embryo into the surrogate so she can incubate and carry the baby,” Adewusi explained.
She also estimated that the procedure costs between N18 million and N20 million, noting that a significant portion is allocated to the surrogate’s welfare and compensation.
“Surrogacy, I would say, on average, would cost between N18 to N20 million. And of course, the surrogate would get a chunk of that money as part of her welfare,” she said.
Myths, emotions and misconceptions
Despite growing awareness, surrogacy continues to attract misconceptions in Nigeria, with some viewing it as unethical or exploitative.
Adewusi dismissed such claims, stressing that surrogacy is a medically regulated process and not an informal arrangement.
“It’s a medical condition, and it has to be diagnosed by a professional… You can’t just wake up and say, oh, I’m too posh to push,” she said.
She added that the process is not about “taking away a baby,” but about helping intended parents who cannot carry pregnancies to term.
Psychiatrist Dr. Maymunah Kadiri noted that surrogacy often carries emotional and social pressure in Nigeria, including stigma and misunderstanding from the public.
She said some intended parents fear bonding challenges, while others struggle with societal judgment over their decision.
Religious perspectives divided
Religious views on surrogacy remain divided in Nigeria.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State, Rt. Rev. Stephen Adegbite, said the Church should support the practice where it helps struggling couples.
“The Church is in tune with anything that will make people happy… if surrogacy is the way out, we should encourage such,” he said.
However, Islamic scholar Fajana Aqib of The Muslim Congress of Nigeria said surrogacy is not acceptable in Islam.
“It’s like renting a womb. Vehemently, in Islam, it is haram,” he said, adding that adoption is a more acceptable alternative.
Nigeria currently lacks a comprehensive legal framework regulating surrogacy, leaving agreements largely unprotected and raising concerns about enforceability and exploitation risks.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Amos Magaji, said a bill on surrogacy is undergoing legislative consideration and may soon advance further in the National Assembly.
“Yes, we have a bill that has gone through a public hearing, it will be laid before the House,” he said.
Legal practitioner Lekan Ayinla also noted that while surrogacy is not explicitly illegal, the absence of regulation leaves all parties in a legal grey area.
“There is no specific regulation or law that says a surrogacy contract is illegal… At the same time, there is no enabling law that guarantees any legal remedy,” he said.
A growing but uncertain pathway
As more Nigerians embrace surrogacy in their pursuit of parenthood, the practice continues to sit at the intersection of medical innovation, cultural values, religious belief, and legal uncertainty.
Until clear legislation is established, intended parents and surrogate mothers are expected to continue navigating a system driven by hope, medical necessity, and personal sacrifice.
