Photo: Shutterstock The UK government is warning people considering traveling to Nigeria for fertility treatment to exercise caution amid reports of staged births and other scams involving so-called “miracle babies.”
The warning, issued through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), highlights concerns over the regulation of Nigeria’s fertility sector, including surrogacy services.
According to the FCDO, there have been reports of staged fake births, commonly referred to as “miracle babies,” in which visitors are falsely led to believe that a birth has taken place.
The government is advising people considering fertility treatment in Nigeria to understand the potential risks and ensure they are familiar with UK legal requirements before making arrangements.
The warning is particularly important for people who intend to return to the UK with a child following fertility treatment or surrogacy in Nigeria.
The FCDO advises British nationals planning to bring a baby born through fertility treatment in Nigeria into the UK to check the relevant requirements, including the UK's guidance on overseas surrogacy.
The legal situation can be particularly complicated when a child is not biologically related to the people attempting to bring them into the UK.
The UK has also restricted overseas adoption of children from Nigeria. The FCDO warns that bringing a child into the UK without following the required legal procedures could result in prosecution.
In addition, the child may not be eligible for British citizenship.
The warning therefore extends beyond the risk of being caught up in a fertility scam. Travelers could also face significant immigration, citizenship and legal problems if they do not establish the correct status of a child before attempting to bring them to the UK.
The government says regulation of Nigeria's fertility sector, including surrogacy services, is weak, making it particularly important for prospective patients to conduct careful checks before entering into arrangements.
Kidnapping for ransom is another widely spread issue across Nigeria and can occur anywhere, with particularly high risks in the northwest, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno and Sokoto, as well as parts of the central and southern regions.
Criminal groups have targeted motorists on major routes such as the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Expressway in Anambra. There is also a significant threat of kidnapping and armed attacks around oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, including offshore sites.
British nationals of Nigerian origin visiting friends and relatives, as well as those working for international companies, may be particularly attractive targets because of their connections and potential access to funds. Kidnapped victims could also potentially be handed over to terrorist groups. Travelers are advised to arrange meetings at secure locations, avoid predictable travel routines and travel only during daylight hours where possible.