The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have expressed serious concern over the growing abuse of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment across the country and called on the Federal Government to urgently regulate the activities of fertility clinics.
The warning came during the opening session of the Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), held at the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State, on Sunday.
Speaking at the conference, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the President of CBCN, highlighted IVF abuse as one of four key issues affecting the nation that the Church is deeply concerned about. Others include the decline in educational standards, environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, and the lack of ethical regulation in the education and health sectors.
Archbishop Ugorji called for strict regulation of fertility clinics, many of which, according to him, operate without proper licenses or qualified medical personnel. He warned that many Nigerians seeking IVF treatment are being exposed to financial exploitation, medical risks, permanent infertility, and in some cases, death.
“Though some clinics are operated by trained professionals, many are not. The lack of regulation puts clients in danger,” Ugorji said.
“This situation urgently calls for government’s regulation and ethical guidelines.”
The Archbishop also raised concern about the moral and ethical implications of IVF treatment, especially for Catholic faithful. He said many people, including university students, are now selling their eggs and sperm for IVF procedures in exchange for money, treating human life as a product.
“The Church considers IVF greatly immoral. Apart from separating the unitive and procreative aspects of marital intimacy, it commodifies human embryos, violating their dignity and right to life,” he added.
On the issue of education, Archbishop Ugorji pointed to the increasing number of “miracle examination centres” where students engage in malpractice during national exams like WAEC and NECO.
He urged all Catholic dioceses and religious congregations to evaluate their schools using the national minimum standards recently issued by the Federal Government. He said this would help identify areas for improvement and maintain the integrity of Catholic educational institutions.
“These miracle centres are undermining the integrity of our education system and must be called to order,” he said.
The CBCN President also condemned the ongoing oil spillage, gas flaring, and environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region caused by oil exploration and mining activities.
He called for increased ecological education, as well as government-led clean-up efforts and rehabilitation of affected communities, many of which have been left in dire conditions for decades.
Earlier in his homily, Bishop Camillus Umo of the Ikot Ekpene Diocese called on Nigerians to remain united despite cultural differences. He stressed that love, peace, and national unity were essential for addressing the country’s many challenges.
The conference was attended by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. Akume praised religious leaders for their continued role in shaping society and urged them to keep preaching messages of peace and tolerance, while discouraging extremism and hate speech.
“We count on religious leaders to promote peace and discourage divisiveness in our nation,” Akume said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who chaired the occasion, applauded the Catholic Church for supporting government efforts, especially in education and healthcare. He noted that the Federal Government is working to expand access to higher education through policies like the Student Loan Act.
In his goodwill message, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, commended the Catholic Church for its humanitarian services, describing it as the largest non-governmental investor in education, healthcare, and social welfare in Nigeria.
“The Catholic Church has gone beyond spiritual leadership to invest heavily in sectors that touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” Governor Eno stated.
The CBCN Second Plenary continues through the week, as the Bishops deliberate on national issues and the Church’s role in nation-building.
