Nigeria’s low IVF reporting hampers foreign investment, AFRH warns

Nigeria’s underreporting of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is threatening the growth of the country’s fertility sector and discouraging foreign investment, the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) has warned. At the opening of its 15th Annual International Conference in Lagos, AFRH President, Professor Preye O. Fiebai, said Nigeria recorded less than 5,000 IVF […]

Nigeria’s underreporting of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is threatening the growth of the country’s fertility sector and discouraging foreign investment, the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) has warned.

At the opening of its 15th Annual International Conference in Lagos, AFRH President, Professor Preye O. Fiebai, said Nigeria recorded less than 5,000 IVF cycles last year, with only 13 out of over 200 registered clinics submitting reports. By comparison, Egypt reported more than 50,000 cycles annually.

“Our population is more than five times Egypt’s, yet the gulf in reporting is alarming,” Fiebai told participants, adding, “Investors follow the numbers. Without accurate data, companies will hesitate to bring in equipment manufacturing or expand services here.”

He noted that the absence of comprehensive data not only distorts the real picture of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Nigeria but also prevents government and stakeholders from measuring industry growth.

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The four-day conference, themed “New Frontiers in ART: The Road Map to the Future”, began with a public engagement session tagged the “Fertility Open House” at Lagos Oriental Hotel.

The initiative, the first of its kind, allowed the general public to consult fertility experts for free and receive guidance on treatment options.

AFRH President-Elect, Dr. Adewunmi Adeyemi Bero, said the Open House was designed to bridge a knowledge gap that has left many couples vulnerable to misinformation and unregulated practices.

 

“In Lagos alone, there are about 79 IVF clinics, but not all meet AFRH’s minimum standards,” Bero explained. “Couples often spend years seeking help from non-medical alternatives before turning to proper treatment. This forum helps them identify reputable clinics early and make informed decisions.”

 

Bero emphasized that public awareness was critical to reducing stigma around infertility and ensuring that couples understood available treatment options.

 

He added that AFRH would continue to create platforms that connect patients directly with licensed professionals.