Reps seek establishment of surrogacy regulatory commission

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, approved a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for the monitoring and supervision of surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria.
The bill aims to “provide for the registration, regulation, and monitoring of surrogacy agencies in Nigeria and related matters.”
Leading the debate on the general principles of the proposed legislation, the sponsor of the bill, Ayodeji Alao-Akala, stated that the bill seeks to regulate and evaluate surrogacy in Nigeria to ensure that medical and health laws are not violated.
He added that it will also protect those seeking to overcome infertility.
Alao-Akala highlighted that a black market has emerged within the system, which takes advantage of the needs of expectant parents and exploits them.
He further stated that surrogate mothers and the children to be born also require legal protection.
Following its adoption, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, referred the motion to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.