The bill, sponsored by Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC-Oyo), successfully passed its second reading during Thursday's plenary session.
Legislation aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for surrogacy has progressed in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC-Oyo), successfully passed its second reading during Thursday's plenary session.
The proposed Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission would oversee surrogacy arrangements, ensuring proper monitoring, supervision, and registration,News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Surrogacy involves a woman carrying and delivering a child for a couple or individual unable to conceive naturally under terms agreed upon by the parties.
In an interview following the session, Alao-Akala emphasized the importance of the bill in protecting the rights of all parties involved, including the child. He noted that it aims to eliminate discrimination and exploitation while supporting couples who struggle 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 you will be binding, that says everybody must have children through surrogacy, it is not a binding law,” he explained.
Alao-Akala further clarified that the legislation would not be universally accepted due to cultural and religious differences but is intended to create a structured environment for those who wish to engage in surrogacy.
“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 added.