Knowledge and Attitude Towards Organ Donation Among Medical Students at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria

Background: Organ donation is a life-saving practice that is critically under-utilised in Nigeria due to limited public knowledge and cultural reservations. Medical students as future practitioners represent a key audience for building a culture of organ donation. This study assesses knowledge and attitudes towards organ donation among medical students at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in the North West geopolitical zone. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 250 clinical-year medical students using a self-administered questionnaire. The instrument assessed knowledge of organ donation procedures, legal frameworks, and attitudinal disposition. Results: Knowledge of the transplantation process was moderate among respondents. Positive attitudes towards organ donation were expressed, though personal willingness to donate was lower. Religious beliefs and cultural concerns were prominent barriers. Senior medical students demonstrated higher knowledge and willingness compared to junior counterparts. Conclusion: While medical students in Zaria demonstrate a generally favourable disposition towards organ donation, significant educational and cultural barriers persist. Organ donation education should be formally embedded in the medical curriculum, with family medicine departments leading clinical ethics discussions. Keywords: organ donation, medical students, Ahmadu Bello University, attitude, transplantation