The Nigerian government has been commended for approving $1 billion fund to address the urgent challenge of child and maternal mortality across the country’s 36 states.
This statement – signed by a consortium of more than 100 civil society organizations in Nigeria – was made available to the media in Abuja.
Dr. Ali Pate, coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, earlier this month announced the funding which he said was geared towards renewed commitment to safeguarding the lives of Nigerian mothers and children.
The civil society organizations said the announcement underscored the critical need to tackle Nigeria’s persistently high maternal and child mortality rates.
“With this $1 billion facility through the HOPE Project, the government aims to incentivize states to achieve measurable progress in reducing these preventable deaths—a move we view as a critical step toward a healthier and more equitable Nigeria.”
While we applaud this bold investment, the consortium emphasizes that the success of this initiative hinges on its effective implementation through accountable and transparent processes.
“Maternal and child mortality remains a public health crisis in Nigeria, with countless families losing loved ones due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to skilled birth attendants, and socio-economic barriers,” they said.
“This funding presents an unprecedented opportunity to address these root causes—if deployed with transparency, accountability, and community engagement at its core.”
They urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with state governments and development partners like the World Bank, World Health Organization and United Nations agencies, to ensure that these resources reached the grassroots level, where they are most needed. Rural and underserved communities must not be left behind in this effort.
A Call for Holistic Action
The consortium also stressed that financial investment alone was not enough.
They opined that to drastically reduce maternal and child mortality, as envisioned by the government, this initiative must be paired with comprehensive strategies.
These include strengthening primary healthcare systems, training and retaining healthcare workers, improving emergency transportation for expectant mothers, and addressing social determinants such as maternal education and nutrition.
“The mention of upgrading 774 healthcare facilities nationwide is a promising start, and we look forward to seeing these efforts prioritized and expanded,” they said.
“We will continue to amplify the voices of affected families, provide evidence-based recommendations, and advocate for policies that protect the rights and well-being of Nigerian women and children. Our expertise spans advocacy, research, and community engagement, and we offer these resources to ensure the success of this program.”
The consortium called on all stakeholders—government, private sector, development partners, and citizens—to unite in making this vision a reality.
Factsheet
According to WHO estimates, Nigeria accounted for approximately 20% of global maternal deaths in recent years, a burden second only to India.
Historical data from 2015 pegged Nigeria’s MMR at over 800 deaths per 100,000 live births, with around 58,000 maternal deaths annually.
More recent trends from the WHO and UN agencies show a gradual decline, with the MMR dropping to an estimated 512–917 by 2020, depending on the source.
However, projections and updates through 2025 suggest that the rate remains above 500, far exceeding the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing the global MMR to less than 70 by 2030.
Key causes in Nigeria include postpartum hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis, and unsafe abortions, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors such as poverty, limited access to skilled healthcare, and cultural practices.
The lifetime risk of maternal death for a Nigerian woman is approximately 1 in 22, starkly higher than the 1 in 4,900 in developed countries.
Therefore, the approval of the $1 billion fund by the Federal Government is seen by other health experts as a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians; helping to rewrite the narrative of maternal and child health in the country.
Comments are closed.