Breaking the Silence: Why Nigeria Faces the World’s Highest Maternal Mortality Rate and What It Means for Mothers

At just 24, Nafisa Salahu faced a life-or-death situation. In Nigeria, a woman dies from childbirth every seven minutes. Nafisa began labor during a doctors’ strike and found herself without the care she desperately needed. After three strenuous days of labor, she had a Caesarean section, but tragically, her baby didn’t survive.

Nafisa’s story is all too common. Nigeria has the highest maternal mortality rate globally. According to 2023 data from the World Health Organization, one in every 100 women dies from childbirth complications. Nigeria accounts for a staggering 29% of all maternal deaths worldwide, equating to about 75,000 women annually.

Many of these deaths are preventable. Chinenye Nweze died five years ago after giving birth when doctors at her Onitsha hospital couldn’t find enough blood for her treatment. Her brother, Henry Edeh, recalls the unbearable loss. "Losing my sister is nothing I would wish on my worst enemy," he says.

The leading causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria include excessive bleeding after childbirth, obstructed labor, and high blood pressure. Martin Dohlsten from UNICEF points out several systemic issues, including a shortage of healthcare workers, lack of affordable treatments, and distrust in medical care, especially among rural women.

Many women resort to traditional remedies, believing hospitals are a waste of time. "No woman should die giving birth," says Mabel Onwuemena of the Women of Purpose Development Foundation. She highlights the challenges women face in reaching hospitals, often lacking transportation and basic healthcare facilities.

Nigeria spends only 5% of its budget on health, far below the 15% target set by the African Union in 2001. As of 2021, there were just 121,000 midwives for 218 million people, meaning many births lack skilled supervision. Experts estimate Nigeria needs 700,000 more midwives to meet WHO guidelines.

Some women, like Jamila Ishaq, have lost trust in hospitals. After facing complications during her fourth labor, she returned home to give birth when no healthcare worker was available. In contrast, Chinwendu Obiejesi, able to afford private care, feels safe when giving birth. In her affluent Abuja neighborhood, maternal deaths are rare, thanks in part to better healthcare access and education.

Dr. Nana Sandah-Abubakar from Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency recognizes the urgency of the situation. The government has launched the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (Mamii), aiming to support pregnant women across 172 local governments known for high maternal deaths.

Recent history shows that while global maternal mortality rates have declined by 40% since 2000, Nigeria’s rate has only improved by 13%. The government hopes initiatives like Mamii will reverse this trend, linking women to necessary services.

Despite these efforts, 200 mothers die every day in Nigeria, leaving behind grieving families like Henry Edeh’s. The pain of losing Chinenye remains sharp for him. "I cry bitterly whenever I think of her," he shares.

In the fight against maternal mortality, much work remains. As women like Nafisa and Chinenye tragically show, effective healthcare must be accessible, reliable, and compassionate.

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