Nigeria maternal deaths drop 50% in 2025
Nigeria's maternal deaths in health facilities fell from 904 in 2024 to 460 in 2025, a 50% reduction according to the Federal Ministry of Health's 2025 State of the Nation Health Report. This progress is attributed to expanded skilled maternity care, improved referral systems, and nationwide emergency obstetric services rollout under the NHSRII 2023-2026 initiative. Skilled birth attendance rose to 86.3%, institutional deliveries to 86.5%, and antenatal visits increased from 22.2% to 28.7%. The Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) programme expanded to 242 facilities nationwide, serving 20,000 women. However, Nigeria still accounts for the highest global share of maternal deaths linked to postpartum haemorrhage, with persistent challenges in underserved communities like Makoko and Bariga.