Health
Women born with male, female sex organs can father children, says Gynaecologists
By Francesca Hangeior.
Senior obstetricians and gynaecologists have stated that individuals with female external features who were born with both male and female sexual organs (intersex) could father children.
The experts, however, clarified that this was possible in intersex females who have functional and developed male reproductive organs.
They noted that although such cases were rare, they were possible and had happened in medical history.
Their statement is coming on the heels of a recent interview with an intersex female, Queen Obukoko, who after failed relationships with men impregnated two women.
According to reports she had discovered a penile-like growth around her groin while growing up and had tried several things to ‘treat’ it.
Although Obukoko looks and has a female structure, she stated that she began to urinate through the male genitalia when she was 15 years old.
Obukoko further noted that she had trouble maintaining romantic relationships with men as they abandoned her whenever they discovered her condition.
After the failed relationships, the 30-year-old stated that she decided to have romantic relationships with women, which led to the birth of a son and daughter.
Although details of whether Obukoko knew a family member with such a condition were unclear, she hinted at the possibility of her newborn daughter being intersex.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, people who are intersex have a sexual and reproductive anatomy that does not fit into the exclusively male or female sex classification.
It added that although the intersex traits might be visible at birth, they were more pronounced during puberty and adulthood.
Also, it affirms that intersex is rare and only two per cent of people globally have the traits.
Cleveland Clinic also notes that intersex surgeries were often carried out before the child reached two years.
The confusion of parents of a 10-year-old intersex boy who after six correction surgeries, ended up with urinary incontinence and an unclear gender.
The experts explained intersex individuals could have partially functional sexual organs at birth.
The gynaecologists further noted that the dominant reproductive organ was more pronounced during puberty.
Providing clarifications on the issue, a former president of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Professor Rotimi Akinola, stated that although rare, an intersex woman can impregnate another woman.
He explained that intersex individuals may possess both male and female reproductive organs that are developed and functional.
“It’s not impossible although it could be extremely rare. The reason it is not impossible is because there are some things they call mosaic. Mosaic is neither right nor left so you have both capabilities in the genital tract. It means that some cells in her body are in one line and the other in another line. The reason that you can be a hermaphrodite in the first place is the same reason why it depends on the organs and all those things.
“This is not a make-believe and it’s not the case of somebody who is trying to change sex. This is the genetic makeup and not a phenotype, like an appearance. It’s structurally so and she has both organs and they are all not rudimentary. So, to some extent, both can function,” the don said.
Akinola further stated that intersex females could have an ovary on one side and a testis on the other side.
He added that in Obukoko’s case, her physical appearance presented her as a woman but structurally, she could function as a man.
“Her appearance is such that she is better off as a woman. Yes. That’s the way she is made, that’s the way she will be accepted and that’s the way she grew up. But the fact remains that structurally she can function in another dimension,” the gynaecologist said.
Akinola, who practices at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, noted that Obukoko’s suspicion that her newborn daughter was intersex was valid as her condition was genetic and could be passed down to her children.
He further noted that undergoing intersex surgery was difficult for intersex adults because their sexual organs were fully developed, stating it was better done as a child.
“For her, it’s difficult because her sexual organs are all developed so it’s difficult to revert. She can start taking male hormones now and she’ll begin to grow a beard and then build muscles. That’s possible. But it’s going to be more difficult because of the acceptance that she has had in the past.
“But for a child, if it is confirmed, they can mask or obliterate one. In all human beings, the neutral expression of sex is female. If you don’t have androgens and testes, you will come out as a female, genetically.
“So when they talk about androgen insensitivity that is the person is not sensitive to the male hormones and such a person will come out in the neutral gender, which is female. So the neutral gender is female for both sexes,” the gynaecologist said.
He also hinted that Obukoko could get pregnant if she had a well-developed womb.
Also, the Second Vice president of SOGON, Professor Chris Aimakhu, explained that intersex is a condition in which a human being is born with reproductive or sexual organs that cannot be characterised as male or female.
He added that it was mainly caused by abnormalities in the genetic chromosomes that are not male or female.
The don also asserted that intersex persons could have partially functional sexual organs at birth, noting that as they grow the dominant reproductive organs are more pronounced.
He further noted that most of the time, intersex persons are present in the hospital during puberty.
“Usually at puberty is when they present to the hospital when the sexual characteristics do not develop. However, surgical correction can be done to correct the organs,” Aimakhu said.
Speaking on the characteristics of an intersex, the don said, “Having ambiguous genitalia at birth, a very small penis, an enlarged clitoris, partly fused labia (labia is the inner, labia minora, and outer folds, labia majora, that forms the skin folds that protects the opening of the urethra and vagina), undescended testis that may eventually turn out to be ovaries in a male intersex and a labial or groin mass that may turn out to be testes in female intersex.”
In a bold move to tackle the growing shortage of medical professionals, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved a significant salary increase for doctors across the state, alongside a new tax-free allowance for house officers.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, during a press briefing, where he revealed that entry-level doctors will now earn ₦570,000 monthly, up from the previous ₦370,000.
House officers are also set to benefit, with their earnings rising from just over ₦250,000 to above ₦350,000, boosted by a newly introduced ₦100,000 tax-free “MORE Special Allowance.”
Why the Pay Raise?
According to the commissioner, the decision was driven by concerns over the low turnout of doctors in the state’s ongoing recruitment exercise.
Despite receiving over 6,000 applications for more than 700 health worker positions, the number of qualified doctors who showed up fell short of expectations—raising alarm over staffing gaps in the healthcare system.
Government’s Strategy
The state government believes the improved salary structure will:
Attract more qualified doctors
Retain existing medical professionals
Strengthen healthcare delivery across Delta State
Joseph Onojaeme also reassured the public that the recruitment process will remain strictly merit-based, stressing that no form of payment or favoritism will be tolerated.
Big Picture
With Nigeria facing an ongoing brain drain in the medical sector, Delta State’s move is seen as a strategic attempt to compete with better-paying opportunities abroad and in the private sector.
If successful, this could set a precedent for other states struggling to keep their healthcare workforce intact.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, citing what it described as the Federal Government’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of agreements reached after its 2025 industrial action.
The decision, which threatens to disrupt healthcare services across public hospitals in Nigeria, was reached at the end of the association’s virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, NARD National President, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the development as “unfortunate,” blaming the Federal Government of Nigeria for pushing doctors toward another industrial action.
“The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.
“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”
The crisis stems from the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table negotiated between NARD and the Federal Government following a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.
Although implementation was initially scheduled to commence in January 2026, delays pushed the rollout to February. However, NARD alleged that the government is now planning to discontinue the process by April, a move the association says undermines trust and violates prior agreements.
Healthcare analysts note that disputes over allowances and welfare have been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s health sector, contributing to frequent strikes by medical unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association. These disruptions often reduce access to healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals that cater to the majority of Nigerians.
Outlining the association’s demands, Ibrahim called for the immediate reversal of the government’s decision and settlement of all outstanding entitlements.
“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” he said.
“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.”
“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”
He further urged members of the association nationwide to remain united.
“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” Ibrahim added.
The planned strike raises concerns about the potential impact on Nigeria’s already strained health system. Resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in tertiary hospitals, handling a large proportion of patient care.
According to health sector data, Nigeria faces a severe shortage of medical personnel, with doctor-to-patient ratios far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard of one doctor to 600 patients. Estimates suggest Nigeria’s ratio is closer to one doctor per 5,000 patients, particularly in underserved areas.
An indefinite strike could lead to the shutdown of outpatient services, delays in surgeries, and increased pressure on private healthcare facilities, raising concerns among patients and health advocates.
Stakeholders have called for urgent intervention to avert another disruption in the health sector, warning that repeated strikes could worsen the ongoing brain drain among Nigerian doctors seeking better working conditions abroad.
As the strike deadline approaches, attention is now on the Federal Government to engage with NARD and resolve the dispute, with millions of Nigerians potentially affected if negotiations fail.
By Gloria Ikibah
The European Union has announced a major upgrade in its relationship with Nigeria, unveiling a €290 million investment package aimed at boosting key sectors including digitalisation, healthcare, agriculture and migration management.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Eighth Ministerial Dialogue in Abuja, co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The funding, part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, will support seven new projects designed to strengthen economic cooperation and reflect what both parties described as a renewed political commitment to deeper bilateral ties.
Speaking at the event, Ms Kallas said: “In the current
geopolitical context, the European Union is keen to enhance its partnership with Nigeria. Bringing more EU investment to Nigeria, aligning with the Renewed Hope agenda for the Nigerian Federal Government is a key priority for both sides in this regard”.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating: “Together with Nigeria, we are investing in the modernisation of the digital sector, a stronger health system and in the development of agriculture. These Global Gateway investments create new quality infrastructures, sustainable jobs and long-term economic opportunities that benefit the Nigerian people, but also create new opportunities for Europe”.
A significant portion of the package — €131 million — is earmarked for digital development. The funding will support the expansion of broadband infrastructure, including the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, aimed at improving connectivity and reducing internet costs for millions of Nigerians currently without access. It will also fund the development of secure digital public systems and support large-scale training initiatives under Nigeria’s technical talent programme.
In the health sector, €55 million has been allocated to boost local pharmaceutical production. Through a new credit line backed by the European Investment Bank, Nigerian companies will gain access to preferential loans to support the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines. The initiative will also include vocational training programmes to build expertise within the workforce.
Agriculture is set to receive €86 million in additional support, focusing on cocoa and dairy value chains. The funding will facilitate access to finance for businesses and smallholder farmers, while also promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. The move aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to expand milk production and strengthen its cocoa exports to European markets.
Meanwhile, €16 million has been dedicated to migration-related initiatives. The funds will support the reintegration of returning migrants and enhance efforts to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks. The EU says it will continue to assist stranded migrants wishing to return home voluntarily, while also strengthening support systems to help them rebuild their lives.
The latest commitments add to existing EU-backed projects in Nigeria, including investments in transport infrastructure in Lagos, renewable energy development, democratic governance, and efforts to combat gender-based violence.
With these new agreements, total EU and Team Europe commitments to Nigeria since 2025 now stand at €962.5 million, underscoring what officials describe as a rapidly evolving and increasingly strategic partnership.
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