As Nigerians, the last thing we want to think about is what will happen after we die. First off, we’re not even dying anytime soon.
Although blood transfusion is common in Nigeria, not a lot of Nigerians have been in a situation where they’ve had to either donate or receive an organ from another person. So we wondered, is organ donation something Nigerians would consider and why? We asked a few Nigerians and here’s what they said:
Festus, 33
I was very indifferent about organ donation until six years ago when, while still living in New York, I had to rush my roommate to the emergency room for a surgery that ended up requiring a kidney transplant. Apparently, somebody had recently passed away in the hospital, and based on the severity of his case, he got bumped up the UNOs list or something. Because his parents lived far away, I had to be on top of everything. Watching him finally get a kidney was a lot for me. I registered to become an organ donor that day. What if the person whose kidney he got hadn’t registered? Would he be alive today? We’d never know. If it could save my friend, I’d love to give someone else and their family a second chance as well.
Babatunde, 26
God forbid! Unless it’s a family member, I’m not trying that shit—it’s creepy AF. So many times we’ve seen movies where someone receives an organ and creepy shit starts to happen to them. I know I’ll be dead and it’s not my business what happens to the person who collected my organs, but I still think it’s weird that a part of me would be out here living in someone else’s body.
Kelechi, 22
Once I’m dead, I don’t see why I should be holding on to something I’m not using. It makes zero sense to me. Alive or not, if I can help, I’m more than happy to do it. Science and medicine have come a long way when it comes to giving people a second chance at life and I want to play my part. I’ll be dead either way, so why not? They can take everything, down to my eyeballs and skin, it’s not like I’ll be using it. But I’ll prefer it if it goes to a human being that needs it, not some random research facility.
Akinola, 30
When I was still a teenager, I donated a kidney to my older brother. Unfortunately, his body rejected it and he passed away not too long after. While I’ve done it before, I don’t think I can do it again unless I’m actually dead. But even at that, I’d rather donate it to a research facility. Something about my brother dying despite all we did to save him still has a strange effect on how I view organ donations.
Ifeyinwa, 27
I’m a doctor, what do you expect? I’ve seen so many people lose their lives simply because they couldn’t access an organ, or maybe the organ got to them too late. That feeling of knowing you can help, but the power is out of your hands — mehn, it can be devastating. If I feel like this, think about the person’s family and loved ones. As a doctor, I’ve seen too much to not want to help in any way I can. For now sha, I haven’t had to give one out but when the call comes, I’ll be there like NEPA bill.
Musty, 30
People can do that in Nigeria? I thought it was only outside the country like India or something. Either way, I’m totally down to donate my brain because the truth is, a lot of Nigerians don’t have sense. LOL.
Cynthia, 22
I don’t think the Bible speaks against it, but my spirit just doesn’t agree with the idea of either having someone else’s organ in or me giving out an organ to someone else. I can’t categorically explain it, but it just doesn’t work for me. If a family member needs an organ, the hospital should provide it. If they can’t, I’m sure God will provide another solution. I’m not sure I can do it.
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