Abuja, Nigeria — A new charity foundation dedicated to assisted conception has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize fertility support programmes within the national health agenda, highlighting the emotional and financial burden faced by millions of couples.
The Circle Mom Fertility Foundation, launched in Abuja, immediately offered full and partial sponsorships for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment to ten couples. Founder Dr. Charles Ojeabuo stated the initiative was created to restore hope, arguing that assisted conception is a “divine tool” that allows families to achieve parenthood.
IVF Sponsorship and Accessibility
The foundation confirmed that five couples received full IVF sponsorship, five others were granted a 50% subsidy, and every attending couple received a 20% discount on treatment. To ensure wider access across Africa’s most populous nation, the foundation is partnering with fertility centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reducing the need for families to travel long distances for care.
The launch event received a significant boost from a celebrity endorsement: visibly pregnant actress and comedienne, Anita Asuoha (Real Warri Pikin), paid tribute to the founders, praising the initiative for restoring hope to families. She joined the foundation’s patron, Dr. Rose Anthony-Orianran, in advocating for the work, with Dr. Anthony-Orianran describing the foundation as a “beacon of hope.”
A Public Health Issue
Mrs. Victoria Ojeabuo, the foundation’s National Director, who has personal experience with secondary infertility, stressed that the struggle is a significant public health issue. She noted that infertility affects millions globally, and the emotional and psychological toll is often overlooked, calling it a “silent pain.”
Mrs. Ojeabuo also provided demographic details on the challenge in Nigeria, citing that infertility cases are roughly 30% male-related, 30% female-related, and 30% a combination, urging philanthropists to collaborate and strengthen this “circle of humanity.”
Legal Guidelines for Assisted Reproduction
The legal aspects of Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) were also addressed. Guest speaker Babayemi Olawole, a legal expert, advised couples seeking surrogacy to “always choose gestational surrogacy,” warning that traditional surrogacy grants the surrogate mother biological rights to the child.
Olawole reassured attendees that while Nigeria lacks a specific statute governing ART, the practice is supported by the Constitution’s provision for private and family life. He advised couples to ensure consent forms are signed with the surrogate mother at multiple stages of the process and to avoid the temptation of knowing the surrogate personally.
See more photos from the event below:
