From Premium Times Nigeria · Oluwakemi Adelagun · · 2m
North Nigeria bears most maternal deaths
Northern states account for 75% of Nigeria's recorded maternal deaths in health facilities.
In brief
Northern states account for 75% of Nigeria's recorded maternal deaths in health facilities. Nigeria's Northwest and Northeast zones recorded 75% of facility-reported maternal deaths in 2026. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Report highlights maternal deaths
Nigeria recorded thousands of maternal deaths in health facilities between January and September 2026.
Northwest and Northeast zones bear burden
The Northwest and Northeast geopolitical zones accounted for about three-quarters of reported maternal deaths in health facilities.
Rural vs urban disparities
Rural women recorded a maternal mortality ratio of 656 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with 444 in urban areas.
National maternal mortality ratio
Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio is 572 deaths per 100,000 live births, above the SDG target of 70.
Global maternal burden
Nigeria accounts for 12% of global maternal, stillbirth and neonatal deaths despite contributing only 6% of global live births.
Maternal deaths decline trend
Maternal deaths in health facilities fell from 4,455 in 2025 to 5,391 in 2024, then to 947 by third quarter of 2026.
Northern states bear highest burden
Kano, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe and Katsina recorded the highest maternal mortality burden in northern states.
Southern states low numbers
Osun, Abia, Enugu, Ekiti and Bayelsa reported fewer than 50 maternal deaths each in 2026.
Maternal morbidity cases
Approximately 3,060 women were diagnosed with vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) in 2026, down from 4,350 in 2025.
Surgical repairs decline
1,737 women underwent VVF surgical repair in 2026, representing 56.8% of diagnosed cases.
Northern zones highest VVF burden
The Northwest and Northeast zones recorded 1,420 and 982 VVF cases respectively in 2026.
Maternal deaths trend
Maternal deaths declined by 40% to 947 in the third quarter of 2026, down from 1,400 in the second quarter of 2:2024.
Maternal mortality ratio decline
The maternal mortality ratio fell to 128 deaths per 100,000 live births in the third quarter of 2026.
Maternal health challenges
Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio remains a major public health concern despite reported declines.
Here's the gist
Nigeria's Northwest and Northeast zones recorded 75% of facility-reported maternal deaths in 2026.
