The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to cut Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate by 20% by the year 2027.
Speaking in Enugu State on Monday, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the commitment during the presentation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives—a donation led by First Lady Remi Tinubu.
Salako also emphasized the government’s parallel goal of reducing infant and under-five mortality by 15% within the same period.
According to the minister, the distribution of the kits is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the frontline workforce by equipping and encouraging nurses and midwives who play a crucial role in safeguarding maternal and child health.
“We sincerely appreciate the impactful role that midwives are playing in the efforts to deliver on the maternal and child health agenda of the president.
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“I wish to use this opportunity to specially salute the midwives who are working on the frontlines. When our women get pregnant, they go through pregnancy in health and deliver healthy babies.
“The Federal Government appreciates your invaluable services to our country. And we will continue to support you with the needed tools, welfare packages and all enablement to perform your duties.
“The kits that is being given today represent a commitment to life, and the dignity of our women and children. I urge you to deploy the kits for the purpose they are meant for with full responsibility and full commitment to the pledge that we all took as professionals,” he said.
According to a 2024 World Bank report, Nigeria’s maternal and child mortality rates were highlighted as among the highest globally, with maternal deaths alone accounting for 20% of the global burden.
A separate report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that although Nigeria makes up only 2.4% of the world’s population, it was contributing 10% of global maternal deaths. The report added that the country had a maternal mortality rate of 576 per 100,000 live births, ranking it fourth highest in the world. It further revealed that approximately 262,000 babies were dying at birth annually — the second highest national total globally. Infant mortality was placed at 69 per 1,000 live births, rising to 128 per 1,000 for children under five.