An alarming report from Anambra State has prompted reactions from medical experts and public officials, following claims that an 18-year-old apprentice impregnated 10 girls in a span of just five months.
The state’s Ministry of Women and Social Welfare is currently investigating the matter, which allegedly involves the teenager engaging in sexual relationships with several young females, including the daughter of his boss and a local salesgirl.
Health experts told PUNCH that although such a scenario is biologically plausible, it remains highly uncommon and may be a sign of deeper issues. The incident has stirred debate around adolescent behavior and raised concerns about possible exploitation.
Professor Chris Aimakhu, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ibadan, said the case appeared abnormal and suggested that it may not simply be about teenage impulse.
“For 10 women to accept to sleep with an 18-year-old apprentice who has little or nothing to offer, something is wrong. This may go beyond mere youthful behaviour,” Aimakhu said.
He also hinted at the possibility that the young man might be unknowingly involved in a baby factory operation, pointing to the unfortunate presence of such criminal networks in the region.
Professor Aimakhu emphasized the need for a thorough probe, including paternity verification in each reported pregnancy.
“Not all women who sleep with a man get pregnant. If he impregnated 10, he might have slept with up to 20. There’s also the issue of paternity. Some of these girls could have had multiple partners,” he noted.
Reports suggest that one of the girls said to be pregnant is a 10-year-old — the apprentice’s master’s daughter. While the age is deeply concerning, experts acknowledged that pregnancy is medically possible if the girl has already begun menstruating, a condition called precocious puberty.
Dr. Joseph Akinde, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, suggested the boy might be showing signs of hypersexuality.
“It’s a mental disorder, but it’s not common. His libido is unduly high. He’s a fully mature and there’s nothing spiritual about it,” Akinde explained.
He advised that the teenager should undergo psychiatric assessment and receive mental health support. Akinde also cautioned against dismissing the matter as mere promiscuity, highlighting the importance of early sex education for children — particularly those who enter puberty early.
