The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has raised fresh concern over Nigeria’s alarming contribution to global maternal deaths, stating that the country accounts for about fourteen per cent of all such cases worldwide.

The minister made the remark on Thursday during his inaugural address at the second day of the 2025 Joint Annual Review Meeting in Abuja, themed All Hands, one mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light.

He said that while Nigeria has recorded some progress in the health sector, the improvements are not keeping pace with the country’s rapidly growing population and limited resources.

Quoting the preliminary findings of the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the minister said the maternal mortality ratio had reduced to five hundred and twelve deaths per one hundred thousand live births from five hundred and seventy six in 2018, while under-five mortality dropped to one hundred and ten deaths per one thousand live births from one hundred and thirty two.

Neonatal mortality now stands at forty one deaths per one thousand live births.

He added that skilled birth attendance has risen from forty three to fifty three per cent, full immunisation coverage has improved from thirty one to thirty nine per cent, and modern contraceptive use among married women has reached twenty per cent.

Dr Salako described the figures as encouraging signs of progress, but stressed that there is still a long way to go. He noted that too many Nigerian women continue to die during childbirth, too many children fail to reach their fifth birthday, and too many families are pushed into hardship by medical expenses.

He said the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is part of efforts to strengthen and transform the country’s healthcare system.

According to him, “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.”

The minister called on all stakeholders to intensify their efforts toward building reliable and sustainable healthcare system across the country.

He also reaffirmed government plans to scale up health financing, hire more workers, and expand access to health insurance for Nigerians.

Nigeria accounts for 14 per cent of global maternal deaths – Minister