Olaniyi Iyiola, a 41-year-old fish and pig farmer from Ondo State, revealed in a viral video his desperate plan to sell one of his kidneys, and he said that extreme poverty has pushed him to this decision.
Olaniyi recently shared his struggles in an interview with Punch. He said that despite having skills in farming, he lacks the capital to start his own business and is currently unemployed.
Living with his family in Ibadan, Ondo, Olaniyi faced severe hardships and temporarily moved to Lagos in search of work. Unfortunately, he found no opportunities and returned to Ibadan when one of his children fell ill.
He lamented that his family often goes without food, and his children lack basic necessities like education and healthcare. The situation has been so dire that he has contemplated suicide but believes selling his kidney could provide some relief for his family.
In his words, “The decision stems from the prevailing conditions in our country. Often, my children lack food, let alone access to education. We struggle to make ends meet, and even basic healthcare is beyond our means. Our youngest, a two-year-old girl, survives mainly on garri, with our meals likewise restricted. The hardship has taken a toll on us, prompting thoughts of suicide. However, I resolved that selling a kidney could provide the means to support my children, covering their education, healthcare, and other necessities. It’s solely for their welfare.
“My wife works as an auxiliary nurse, yet financial constraints persist. She supplements her income with a cleaning job at a school in Ibadan, earning a monthly wage of N15,000. Despite past salaried positions, including earning between N25,000-N30,000, we still don’t have financial stability. The current economic landscape offers few prospects.
“I hold an SSCE qualification. In 2012. I dabbled into real estate, albeit lacking the capital for significant ventures. Acting mainly as an agent, I struggled to make headway. The lack of resources hindered my efforts. Subsequently, I relocated to Ibadan in search of a more favorable environment, but challenges persisted.”
When asked if he is aware of the legal and health risks associated with kidney sales, he said, “While I acknowledge potential risks, the dire circumstances leave me with limited options. I am solely driven by the need to provide for my children. My wife is 38 years old. Although she remains unaware of my intent to sell a kidney, I assured her not to fret upon encountering my story on social media. Our shared concern is solely the well-being of our children.”
Olaniyi further noted that he undertakes odd jobs whenever available, but sustenance remains a challenge. The family often rely on garri and palm oil for sustenance, underscoring the severity of the plight. Selling a kidney is a desperate measure to secure his family’s well-being, particularly that of his children.
He further added that his children are currently not schooling because he lacks the finances to send them to school.
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