In a decisive move to overhaul Nigeria’s maternal and newborn healthcare landscape, the Federal Government has launched a comprehensive national strategy aimed at massively expanding the midwifery workforce. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, is designed to eliminate the systemic barriers contributing to high maternal mortality rates across the federation.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, unveiled the plan during a ministerial briefing in Abuja to mark the 2026 International Day of the Midwife.
The 2025–2030 Strategic Roadmap
Central to this overhaul is the rollout of the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030. This roadmap serves as a technical blueprint to modernize training standards, increase student intake in midwifery institutions, and streamline recruitment processes that have historically slowed down the deployment of skilled professionals.
Prof. Pate emphasized that the strategy is not merely about numbers but about the equitable distribution of personnel, ensuring that rural and underserved communities where the risk of childbirth complications is highest receive the same quality of care as urban centers.
Strengthening Emergency Obstetric Care
The Ministry is intensifying its focus on life-saving interventions through the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII). This program targets high-burden areas with specialized training for frontline workers.
Furthermore, the government is reinforcing the Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC and CEmONC) frameworks. These programs are vital for managing the leading causes of maternal death, such as hemorrhage and sepsis, by providing clinics with the necessary tools and skilled hands to intervene during crises.
Commitment to Workforce Welfare
Acknowledging the 2026 global theme, One Million More Midwives, the Minister noted that the government is working alongside international partners to address the brain drain and motivation gaps within the sector.
“We are committed to ensuring that no woman dies while giving birth and that every child has a healthy start to life. Strengthening the midwifery workforce is central to achieving that goal,” Prof. Pate stated, adding that improving welfare, retention, and working conditions is a top priority for the administration.
A Call for Sustained Investment
Supporting the Minister’s stance, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, highlighted that the success of these health outcomes depends on sustained investment and collaboration. She reaffirmed that the Ministry is dedicated to creating a “supportive environment” where midwives have the supplies and infrastructure needed to perform their duties safely and effectively.
With the implementation of this new five-year roadmap, Nigeria aims to transition from a period of healthcare deficit to one of resilience and professional abundance, ultimately safeguarding the lives of millions of mothers and infants.
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