The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for surrogacy, moving towards addressing issues of infertility for women.
Sponsored by Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC-Oyo), the bill seeks to create the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission to oversee surrogacy arrangements and ensure the rights of all parties involved, including children.
Alao-Akala emphasized that the law is intended to be a choice rather than an obligation, respecting cultural and religious perspectives. He noted the bill aims to eliminate discrimination and exploitation, providing a supportive environment for couples struggling to conceive.

“This kind of law is not a law of force, it is a law of choice, because this is about you wanting to have children and choosing to say would I go this route to have my children.

“It’s not a law that says everybody must have children through surrogacy, it is not a binding law.

“I know it is not going to be accepted fully everywhere at once because of culture and religion,

“Like I said, it is not a forceful law, but a law put in place so that, when anybody wants to get involved in it, there are laws guiding it,” he said.

The legislation still faces cultural challenges but seeks to establish clear guidelines for those who choose this path to parenthood.