By Iyemah David
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Nigeria must urgently address systemic barriers threatening the nation’s progress if the country is to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.
The UNFPA said such barriers include limited female autonomy, weak health systems, cultural restrictions, and inadequate financing.
Dr Lordfred Achu, Technical Specialist, Reproductive and Maternal Health, UNFPA Nigeria, made said this on Wednesday, at the ongoing 66th National Council on Health, holding in Calabar.
Dr Achu said that several longstanding issues including poverty, ignorance, cultural taboos, shortages of skilled health workers, and uneven distribution of personnel, continue to limit women’s access to quality maternal and reproductive healthcare.
He noted that Nigeria records one maternal death every seven minutes, adding that the country remained among those with very high maternal mortality ratios, estimated between 500 and 999 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Nigeria, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Pakistan account for nearly half of global maternal deaths,” he said.
According to him, the country’s adolescent fertility rate remains high, with 106 births per 1,000 girls, while 24 million girls marry before age 18.
He added that modern contraceptive prevalence stood at 15 per cent, and unmet need for family planning at 21 per cent, with a fertility rate of 4.8 births per woman.
“So, our contraceptive prevalence is low; and this in a way contributes to maternal death,” he said.
He emphasised that reducing maternal and neonatal mortality goes beyond medical intervention, adding that political will should be backed by sustained, coordinated multi-sectoral investment.
“A lot is happening in terms of innovative ideas and improvements in health facilities, but shortages and uneven distribution of skilled personnel largely contribute to substandard care,” he added.
He therefore called for reforms that would enforce girl-child education, empower women to make informed health decisions, and engage communities and religious leaders.
“Integrating discussions on maternal health into existing women’s groups and associations, and engaging men through community dialogue, are essential,” he said.
“The Nigeria Health Statistics Report 2025, recorded 20,811 maternal, neonatal and under-five deaths between January and September 2025.
“The report showed that Nigeria recorded 1,244 maternal deaths in the first quarter, 1,232 in the second, and 1,213 in the third. Neonatal and under-five deaths also remained high across the three quarters.
“The leading causes of maternal deaths include complications of pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, malaria, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, sepsis, anaemia, tuberculosis and neonatal complications.
“For neonatal and under-five deaths, diarrhoea, malnutrition, pneumonia, anaemia, meningitis, sepsis, severe malnutrition, septicaemia, tetanus and hypoxaemia were listed as the top causes,” he said.
He said addressing these challenges required strong political commitment, socio-cultural reforms, community engagement, stronger data and accountability systems, and targeted health financing.
He reiterated that reducing maternal and neonatal mortality was not just about saving lives; it is about equality and equity.
