By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A university don, Professor Joseph Olamijulo has stressed the need for stronger regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology, ART in Nigeria for improved maternal care for women undergoing fertility treatments.

Olamijulo of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, made the call on Wednesday, during a valedictory lecture in honour of Abidoye Gbadegesin, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held at the Lagos State University College Of Medicine, LASUCOM, Ikeja.

The lecture, titled:”How Safe is Motherhood with Assisted Reproductive Technology in Nigeria,?examined the benefits, risks and future of fertility treatment in the country, while celebrating Gbadegesin’s contributions to maternal and reproductive health.

Speaking at the event, Olamijulo described ART as one of the most significant advances in modern medicine, noting that it has restored hope to millions of couples struggling with infertility.

According to him, more than 13 million babies have been born worldwide through ART, while about 2.5 million IVF cycles are carried out annually.

“Nigeria now has about 100 registered ART centres following the pioneering work of fertility specialists in the country,” Olamijulo stated.

Despite the success of fertility treatments, the professor cautioned that pregnancies achieved through ART often come with additional risks that require specialised care.

According to Olamijulo, women seeking ART are frequently older and may have underlying health conditions such as: hypertension, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, factors that increase the likelihood of pregnancy complications.

“Current evidence suggests that pregnancies conceived through ART have an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with spontaneous conception. The excess risk appears to be related to multiple gestation, underlying infertility and other maternal factors,” he said.

Olamijulo identified complications associated with ART pregnancies to include: pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia, anaemia, postpartum haemorrhage, preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcomes.

He also expressed concern over the prevalence of multiple embryo transfers, which often result in multiple pregnancies and significantly increase maternal and neonatal risks.

To improve outcomes, Olamijulo recommended comprehensive pre-pregnancy assessment for women before commencing fertility treatment, stressing that underlying medical conditions should be identified and optimised.

He further called for the establishment of a national regulatory body for ART backed by legislation, similar to regulatory systems in developed countries.

Other recommendations include: the development of evidence-based national ART guidelines, promotion of elective single embryo transfer, and discouragement of questionable IVF practices such as routine multiple embryo transfer and indiscriminate “freeze-all” procedures except where medically justified.

The don also urged healthcare providers to classify all ART pregnancies as high-risk and ensure they are managed in appropriately equipped specialist units.

Olamijulo, advocated stronger collaboration among fertility specialists, obstetricians, physicians, cardiologists and other healthcare professionals involved in maternal care, as well as improved maternal surveillance systems to monitor outcomes and guide policy decisions.

The don further called for expanded research into ART outcomes in Nigeria, noting that available data remain limited and largely focus on pregnancy and live birth rates rather than maternal morbidity and mortality.

Paying tribute to Gbadegesin, Olamijulo described him as an accomplished clinician, teacher, mentor and advocate of safe motherhood whose career has been devoted to reducing maternal deaths and improving reproductive health outcomes.

He noted that Gbadegesin’s contributions to obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as his leadership roles within the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), have helped shape maternal healthcare delivery and professional development in the country.

“As we celebrate Professor Abidoye Gbadegesin, we celebrate a career dedicated to safe motherhood. His contributions remind us that every advancement in reproductive medicine must ultimately serve women and families in an efficient and safe manner,” Olamijulo said.

He added that while assisted reproductive technology has transformed fertility treatment and enabled many couples to achieve parenthood, the ultimate measure of success should not merely be the achievement of pregnancy but the delivery of a healthy baby by a healthy mother.

“Safe motherhood is achievable among women who conceive through ART, but it requires careful patient selection, pre-treatment screening, adherence to evidence-based protocols and coordinated multidisciplinary care,” Olamijulo stated.

Earlier, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo Fabanwo described Professor Gbadegesin as an excellent clinician and an alumnus of his medical school.

According bro him, “We shared the same few commonalities beyond the fact that we work together as colleagues. We had such a good time together. I wish you well in your journey of. I pray that in retirement you shall never lack. You will prosper even more. I wish you well, sir.”

In her tributes, Head, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Professor Abimbola Ottun, commended the celebrant for his mastery of maternal and fetal medicine.

“You made LASUCOM and LASUTH better by being here. The residents you trained don’t just know the protocols because of you. They know what it means to stay calm when things get complicated, to speak plainly to families when it’s hard, and to leave your ego at the door.

“And you did all this without ever leading with your title or your lineage as a prince of Oyo. You led with work. That’s why people respect you. I’m grateful for the standard you set while I’ve been Head of Department.