Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has expressed concern over the country’s significant contribution to global maternal deaths. According to Dr. Salako, Nigeria accounts for approximately 14% of all maternal deaths worldwide. He made this remark during the 2025 Joint Annual Review Meeting in Abuja, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light.”
Despite some progress in the health sector, Dr. Salako noted that improvements are not keeping pace with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population and limited resources. Citing the preliminary findings of the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, he reported a reduction in maternal mortality ratio to 512 deaths per 100,000 live births from 576 in 2018. Under-five mortality has also decreased to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births from 132, while neonatal mortality now stands at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Dr. Salako highlighted other positive trends, including a rise in skilled birth attendance from 43% to 53%, improved full immunization coverage from 31% to 39%, and increased modern contraceptive use among married women to 20%. However, he emphasized that these figures, although encouraging, indicate that much work remains to be done. Many Nigerian women continue to die during childbirth, and too many children fail to reach their fifth birthday, with numerous families struggling with medical expenses.
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is implementing the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen and transform the country’s healthcare system. Dr. Salako stated that the government is working in partnership with state and local governments, development partners, and civil society to accelerate progress and deliver a health system that serves all Nigerians.
The minister urged stakeholders to intensify their efforts toward building a reliable and sustainable healthcare system across the country. He reaffirmed the government’s plans to scale up health financing, hire more healthcare workers, and expand access to health insurance for Nigerians. With these efforts, the government aims to address the country’s significant contribution to global maternal deaths and improve overall healthcare outcomes for its citizens.