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

“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.”*

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.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the recent allegations leveled against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. The accusations, made by Atiku Abubakar Isah, the factional president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have sparked widespread debate and raised critical questions about the state of student leadership and democracy in Nigeria.

According to reports, Isah alleged that Seyi Tinubu abducted and tortured him after he refused to accept a bribe purportedly offered to him[ The student leader further claimed that Tinubu’s son attempted to disrupt the inauguration of the NANS leadership in Abuja, using thugs to disperse the gathering

These allegations have ignited discussions about the independence of student leadership and the broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic values.

Reacting to the controversy, Peter Obi described the allegations as “troubling”, emphasizing that if proven true, they would signify a dangerous erosion of young voices in the country’s political landscape

He stressed that Nigerian youth should not be coerced, silenced, or forced into political agendas that do not reflect their will.

**“The oppression of young voices, whether through force, patronage, or intimidation, is a dangerous path that we must not normalize,”Obi stated. He further called for a return to a Nigeria where justice is done and seen to be done, where youth can speak freely, and where institutions act responsibly

Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as false and defamatory.

In a statement posted on his social media, he refuted claims that he had ever met Isah or orchestrated any attack against him. **“I have never held a meeting to discuss any subject matter with Comrade Isah in Lagos or anywhere else in the world,”** Tinubu stated, adding that the accusations were entirely fictional.

As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians await further developments, with calls for a thorough investigation into the matter. The allegations have intensified discussions on the role of student leadership in Nigeria and the influence of political figures on youth organizations.

In a strategic partnership to support the economy of Nasarawa State, the Dangote Group is sponsoring the 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition which officially opens this Wednesday in Lafia, the State capital.

The Trade Fair, according to the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, will be declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.

He said the Fair is a collaboration between NASSI and the Nasarawa State Chamber of Commerce Agriculture and Industries.

The Theme for this year’s Fair is: Investing in Nasarawa’s Future: Fostering Economic Development Through Mineral and Agricultural Cottage Industrialization.

He added: “The Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition (NASTFE) is a vital catalyst for the State’s economic transformation. This strategic initiative by NASSI directly aligns with Governor Abdullahi Alhaji Sule’s vision to stimulate investment and unlock significant growth.”

A statement from the Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said: “Nasarawa State is central to our overall investment in Nigeria. It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project when completed will be one of the biggest sugar investments on the African continent.”

The statement quoted the Senior Special Adviser to the Dangote Group’s President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that: “We are not taking this partnership for granted. Our Strategic Business Units (SBUs) are also participating.
According to her, some of the Business Units participating from the Dangote Group are: Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON) and Dangote Cement, among others.”

Mrs Abdurrahman said the Trade Fair offers the company an opportunity to interact with stakeholders and Nigerians who may want to do business with the company.

She said a special Help Desk will be created for inquiries to enable the company to receive feedback from participants.

She urged participants to visit the company’s pavilion and take advantage of its innovative products.