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Cover Story :Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria A Rising Concern

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Due to rising cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria and its causes Nigerian Tracker’s Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa takes a look and files in this report

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)–the rate of deaths that occur due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth–is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention.

Research has shown that Nigeria is one of the top three African countries with the highest recorded cases of MMR. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that South Sudan and Chad had the highest MMR rates, with Nigeria ranking third.

The rise in maternal mortality is most prevalent in rural areas of the country. Between 2008 and 2018, states in the Northeastern and Northwestern regions recorded higher numbers compared to those in the Southeastern and Southwestern parts.

Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Health recorded that between 2019 and 2022, out of the 36 states in Nigeria, only 15–16 actively participated in post-natal care. The postpartum period accounts for 27% of maternal mortality cases.

In response, the federal government, through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1), launched the National Strategic Health Development Plan II. By 2030, the plan aims to reduce Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate to no more than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Healthcare is Dead in Rural Areas”—Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha Speaks on Causes of MMR

Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha, a medical doctor at the maternity ward of Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre, highlights the gravity of the situation.

 

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

“Maternal Mortality, as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to the deaths of women due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth—either during delivery or up to 48 days postpartum. In Nigeria, for every 22 women who give birth, one dies. This contrasts sharply with developed countries, where maternal deaths occur only after thousands of births.”*

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Dr. Mustapha attributes Nigeria’s high MMR to multiple factors, with marginalization of rural communities being a significant contributor.

“Access to proper healthcare is nearly impossible for people living in rural areas. As a result, they resort to self-administered healthcare, often performed by untrained individuals pretending to be midwives. This leads to complications, including severe hemorrhaging during childbirth—one of the major causes of maternal death.”

Illegal abortion is another contributing factor.

*”Unwanted pregnancies are rampant in our society. Many young girls under the age of 15 get pregnant, and in an attempt to terminate their pregnancies, they succumb to fatal complications.”

Additionally, hypertensive disorders and pulmonary edema—excessive fluid buildup in the lungs—are serious contributors to maternal deaths.

“Women with severe hypertension, particularly those over the age of 35, face heightened risks. Their cases often result in respiratory failure, leading to mortality.”

“Government Negligence Fuels Illegal Healthcare Practices”—Dr. Mustapha Criticizes Unregulated Hospitals.

When asked about the recent deaths at Afolmi Hospital in Durumi, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha did not hold back.

 

“This tragedy could have been avoided if the government actively enforced policies regulating healthcare facilities. Many illegal hospitals operate without consequences, allowing untrained staff to perform life-threatening procedures. Corruption is a major impediment to effective enforcement.”

On April 27, 2025, reports surfaced that Afolmi Hospital, along with staff member Murtala Jumma, was implicated in the deaths of two women due to childbirth complications. Jumma was reportedly responsible for a failed cesarean section that led to one of the fatalities.

The Path Forward: Experts Urge Government Intervention

According to Dr. Mustapha, improving maternal health in Nigeria requires strategic actions.

“Pregnant women should maintain a healthy diet and attend antenatal appointments regularly to monitor both their health and that of their baby. Family planning is also crucial, as excessive childbirth increases the risk of cervical tears, contributing to maternal mortality.”

 

 

Government intervention is equally vital.

Authorities must ensure that rural communities have access to quality healthcare facilities. In urban areas, medical personnel should receive fair remuneration to discourage them from leaving the country. Unregistered hospitals operating illegally must be shut down, and violators should face severe penalties.”

Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in rural regions where healthcare is virtually non-existent. Without immediate action, the country faces severe economic consequences due to dwindling manpower and reduced contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Regulating abortion, enforcing hospital standards, improving healthcare infrastructure, and retaining medical professionals through better compensation could drastically reduce Nigeria’s MMR rate and safeguard the lives of thousands of women.

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Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

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“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

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No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

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The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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