The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, on Thursday said Nigeria contributes about 14 per cent of global maternal deaths and nine per cent of global under-five deaths.
Salako disclosed this in his inaugural address during the second day of the 2025 Joint Annual Review Meeting in Abuja, with the theme, “All hands, one mission: Bringing Nigeria’s health sector to light.”
He said that although Nigeria has recorded improvements in key health indicators, the progress is still insufficient for a nation of its size and resources.
The JAR is an annual multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government representatives, development partners, and civil society to review progress, identify challenges, and strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s health sector.
Maternal deaths, defined as deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth, remain one of Nigeria’s most persistent public health challenges.
Quoting the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey preliminary results, the Minister said, “Maternal Mortality Ratio stands at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births (down from 576 in 2018); Under-five mortality rate stands at 110 deaths per 1,000 live births (a reduction from 132 in 2018); neonatal mortality is at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“The Skilled Birth Attendance is up from 43 per cent in 2018 to 53 per cent; full immunisation coverage at 39 per cent is an improvement from 31 per cent in 2018; and Modern Contraceptive Prevalence is at 20 per cent among currently married women.”
Dr Salako noted that these statistics show gradual progress but are not commensurate with a nation of Nigeria’s stature, resources, and ambition.
“Nigeria still accounts for approximately 14 per cent of global maternal deaths and nine per cent of global under-five deaths, despite representing only 2.6 per cent of the world’s population,” he emphasised.
He explained that President Bola Tinubu is implementing coordinated programmes and reforms to reverse these trends and strengthen the nation’s health system.
“The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fully aware of these challenges, is making concerted efforts in partnership with state and local governments, development partners, and civil society to accelerate progress and deliver a health system that will optimally serve all Nigerians,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the administration’s Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda are designed to build a resilient health system capable of responding to shocks and ensuring sustainable, inclusive care.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving health financing, expanding insurance coverage, and addressing workforce shortages.
“Too many mothers still die in childbirth, too many children don’t reach their fifth birthday, and too many families are impoverished by healthcare costs.
Health system resilience is not built overnight. It requires sustained investment, political will, technical excellence, community ownership, and accountability,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to renew their commitment to health system strengthening and to make this era one of decisive progress toward universal health coverage.
“Only healthy people can translate to a healthy nation, and only healthy people can produce a prosperous, secure, and great country,” the minister added.
PUNCH NEWS.
