A pregnant student poses on July 29, 2013, in Pretoria at the Pretoria Hospital School, which specialises in teenage pregnancy. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

The Federal Government says it is committed to reducing Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate by 20 percent before the year 2027.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this known in Enugu during the presentation of 10,000 professional kits to midwives by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.

Dr. Salako also revealed plans to cut infant and under-five mortality rates by 15 percent within the same period.

He said the distribution of the kits is part of efforts to empower frontline healthcare workers and ensure safer pregnancies and childbirth across the country.

“We are creating a large pool of motivated and empowered professionals to help deliver on President Tinubu’s health agenda,” the minister said.

Dr. Salako praised midwives for their dedication and urged them to use the kits responsibly to save lives and uphold the dignity of women and children.

A 2024 World Bank report ranks Nigeria among countries with the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally. Maternal mortality accounts for 20 percent of the global burden, while UNICEF says Nigeria, with just 2.4 percent of the world’s population, contributes 10 percent of global maternal deaths.

Currently, the maternal mortality rate stands at 576 deaths per 100,000 live births—the fourth highest in the world. Infant mortality is 69 per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality is 128 per 1,000.