Reps seek to establish Surrogacy Regulatory Commission

A bill that seeks to establish the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for monitoring and supervision of surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria was scaled through Second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The bill also seeks to provide for the registration, regulation, and monitoring of surrogacy agencies in Nigeria and for related matters.

Leading debate on the general principles of the proposed legislation, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala stated that the bill seeks the monitoring and evaluation of surrogacy in Nigeria to ensure medical and health laws are not flouted and to protect those seeking to beat infertility.

He stressed that a black market now exists within the system that takes advantage of the needs of expectant parents and exploits them.

He further stated that the surrogate mothers and the children to be born also need protection by law; hence, the bill seeks to ensure this.

To this end, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.

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