“Consider the Unborn”: Don Pushes for Abortion Law Review

A Professor of Fetal Medicine at Olabisi Onabanjo University has called for a review of Nigeria’s abortion laws to consider the rights and interests of unborn children.

Prof. Olufemi Oloyode argued that the current law focuses too narrowly on the interests of mothers and should be reformed to allow for the termination of fetuses with severe abnormalities.

A Controversial Proposal

A Professor of Fetal Medicine at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Olufemi Oloyode, has called for a review of Nigeria’s abortion law to take into consideration the rights and interests of unborn children.

Oloyode made the call on Tuesday while speaking with journalists after delivering the university’s 130th inaugural lecture, titled

“To Live or Not To Live: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Fetal Medicine”.

The don said the country’s abortion laws had historically focused on the interests of mothers, arguing that the condition of the fetus should also be considered when decisions about pregnancy termination were made.

A New Ethical Framework

“Before now, abortion law says you cannot commit abortion. It is criminal; you have various sentences. The abortion law says you can only do that in the interest of the mother, never in the interest of the fetus,” he said.

“I am now telling the government and those who care about the abortion law that we must begin to factor in the interest of the fetus. The fetus never begged to come, and if the fetus is going to be challenged by something, we should give them that opportunity or right to exit painlessly,” he added.

Severe Abnormalities

Oloyode said fetuses diagnosed with severe abnormalities or conditions that could subject them to lifelong suffering should be considered under a reformed abortion law.

“Malformed fetuses should be allowed to be terminated. Fetuses that will become a burden to themselves should be included in the abortion laws,” he said.

The professor also identified Down syndrome as one of the conditions that should be considered in discussions about fetal rights and abortion.

“Even some things like Down syndrome that are there, but they have a lot of challenges that society cannot take care of them, they are on the streets, should we not allow them to be terminated if the mothers or the condition they are experiencing is so bad?” he asked.

The Sickle Cell Dilemma

Oloyode, however, acknowledged that the proposal was controversial, particularly when applied to sickle cell disease. He explained that many people opposed such considerations because of religious and personal beliefs.

Still, he argued that the realities faced by people living with sickle cell disease should not be ignored.

“Because of religious, personal bias, we say sentiments, we say, ‘Leave them, God is in control.’ But I tell you, no. Especially because society does not have what it takes to take care of them,” he said.

A Call for a Multi-Disciplinary Committee

As part of the requirement for the reform requirements, Oloyode called for the creation of a Multi-Disciplinary Bioethics Committee comprising fetomaternal medicine experts, perinatologists, legal experts, medical professionals and other stakeholders.

A Lesson for Nigeria

The professor’s proposal is a reminder that the debate over abortion is not just about rights, it is about compassion. The same politicians who avoid this debate will never allow their own children to be born with severe abnormalities without access to care.

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Their families are protected.

For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: the law must evolve to reflect the realities of modern medicine. The same leaders who ignore ethical dilemmas will never allow their own children to be victims of outdated laws.

Engage in difficult conversations. Demand ethical frameworks. And never forget that compassion must guide our laws.