Nigeria – Ogun Assembly reviews safe termination bill to reduce preventable maternal deaths

By : Segun Ayinde
5 August 2026

Ogun State House of Assembly has begun reviewing the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Bill following it’s public hearing, as legislators and maternal health advocates emphasize the importance of enacting a law that will help to curb preventable maternal deaths and strengthen access to reproductive healthcare across the state.

The review meeting, organised in collaboration with the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Gender Development Initiative (GENDI), Centre for Community Development Health and Family Enhancement Initiatives, Centre for Reproductive Rights, IPAS Nigeria Health Foundation and Amplify Change, brought together lawmakers, health professionals, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Continued: https://guardian.ng/news/ogun-assembly-reviews-safe-termination-bill-to-reduce-preventable-maternal-deaths/

Foundation demands legal reform, supportive care for women, girls in Nigeria

March 11, 2026

A nonprofit group, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, has called on government and all stakeholders to ensure a more supportive environment that empowers women and girls in the country to make informed decisions about their lives and health.

The Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, Dr. Lucky Palmer, in a press statement to commemorate the International Women’s Day called for reform of outdated laws in the country to protect women’s access to safe abortion care and equip healthcare workers with adequate training to deliver safe and high-quality services.

Continued: https://thenationonlineng.net/foundation-demands-legal-reform-supportive-care-for-women-girls-in-nigeria/

11.03.2026

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Give to Gain

International Women's Day

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

NIGERIA – CSO seeks reduction of abortion stigma, maternal mortality in Akwa Ibom

January 16, 2026
By Lovina Anthony

A Non Governmental Organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment is leading discussions on how to reduce stigma associated with Safe Termination of Pregnancy, SToP, and maternal mortality rate in the state.

The stigma, according to the organisation is deeply rooted in cultural, religious, social norms and drives the rate of maternal mortality in the state. SToP guidelines are conditions necessary for safe abortion to be carried out within the law.

Continued: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/16/cso-seeks-reduction-of-abortion-stigma-maternal-mortality-in-akwa-ibom/

16.01.2026

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

maternal mortality

Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment

Okposin Thompson

STOP guidelines for abortion

Ipas Tasks Journalists, Others On Awareness About Dangers Of Unsafe Abortion

by Chibuzor Emejor
December 8, 2025

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, has tasked journalists, civil society organisations and content creators to intensify awareness on the dangers associated with unsafe abortions among women and girls in Nigeria.

Dr.Lucky Palmer,Country Director, Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, gave the task at a three-day Media Training on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, organised for journalists, civil society groups,content creators in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Continued: https://independent.ng/ipas-tasks-journalists-others-on-awareness-about-dangers-of-unsafe-abortion/

08.12.2025

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

Maputo Protocol

maternal mortality and morbidity

National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications

Nigeria: Expert links unsafe abortion to rising maternal mortality

The organisation also estimates that 1.8 million abortions occur annually in Nigeria, with nearly 60 per cent classified as unsafe because they are performed by unskilled providers, in unhygienic conditions, or using harmful methods.

by Zainab Adewale
December 5, 2025

Reproductive health experts have warned that unsafe abortions continue to drive Nigeria’s high maternal mortality burden due to restrictive laws, stigma, poor access to safe services, and persistent misinformation.

The experts made this known during a three-day media training on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, held in Keffi, Nasarawa State between 2-4 December.

Continued; https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/841062-expert-links-unsafe-abortion-to-rising-maternal-mortality.html

05.12.2025

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Emannuella Azu

Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

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Soteria-Afrique Rural Healthcare Initiative

Talemoh Dah

Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act

World Health Organisation

NIGERIA – FG vows tougher action against unsafe abortions, maternal mortality

By : Ene Oshaba, Abuja
1 Oct 2025

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal mortality by tackling unsafe abortion and strengthening reproductive health systems nationwide.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Director of Family Health, Robert M. Daniel, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday at the International Safe Abortion Conference organised by Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation to mark International Safe Abortion Day.

Continued: https://guardian.ng/news/fg-vows-tougher-action-against-unsafe-abortions-maternal-mortality/

Disability rights are human rights: Inclusive reproductive justice in Nigeria

July 29, 2025
Rachel Ogunlana, Communications and Engagement Advisor for Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation

With unsafe abortion remaining a leading cause of maternal death in Nigeria, it is critical that women with disabilities have access to comprehensive reproductive health services—including contraception and safe abortion—free from fear, stigma, and shame, and with the dignity every person deserves.

Women with disabilities face multiple, intersecting challenges that often result in being denied essential reproductive health services when they need them most. Many require specialized care before, during, and after an abortion due to physical or cognitive impairment, yet this care is frequently unavailable or inaccessible. They are also routinely excluded from receiving accurate information about their reproductive health, leaving them unable to make informed, life-saving decisions.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/disability-rights-are-human-rights-inclusive-reproductive-justice-in-nigeria/

Nigeria affirms right to abortion for survivors of sexual violence

July 23, 2025
Ipas

In a landmark decision in June 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed that unplanned pregnancies resulting from rape, incest and other forms of sexual violence is a violation of the rights of women and girls.

“The ruling is a welcome development, as this is the first time a superior court in Nigeria has recognized that pregnancies arising from sexual violence not only harm a woman’s physical health but also her mental wellbeing,” says Lucky Palmer, director of the Ipas Nigerian Health Foundation. “The decision represents a critical legal precedent and a significant stride toward safeguarding the bodily autonomy and dignity of women and girls in Nigeria.”

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/nigeria-affirms-right-to-abortion-for-survivors-of-sexual-violence/

23.07.2025

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Lucky Palmer

rape and abortion

Reproductive Justice initiative Foundation

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Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act

FG Moves to Decriminalise Abortion in Nigeria

Federal Government Moves to Decriminalize Abortion Amid Concerns Over Maternal Deaths Linked to Unsafe Procedures in Nigeria

October 4, 2024

The federal government is taking steps to decriminalise abortion in the country, according to Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director of the Family Health Department at the Federal Ministry of Health.

Speaking during the SRHR Summit 1.0 in Abuja, held to mark World Contraception Day, Dr. Ukaire, represented by Barrister Nma Ogbonna, noted that sections 288 to 290 of the Criminal Code currently make abortion illegal. However, the government, in partnership with health advocates, recognises the need to protect the lives of women and girls of reproductive age by reforming these laws.

Continued: https://www.withinnigeria.com/news/2024/10/04/fg-moves-to-decriminalise-abortion-in-nigeria/

Stakeholders Alarmed By 610,000 Unsafe Abortions In Nigeria, Urge Contraceptive Access

By Racheal Abujah
October 4, 2024

Health sector stakeholders have raised alarm over the concerning rate of unsafe abortions in Nigeria, where approximately 610,000 unsafe abortions occur annually.

This revelation was made during the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Summit 1.0, held in Abuja to commemorate World Contraception Day 2024.

The summit, organised by the Media, Health, and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHRIN), was themed “A Choice for All: Freedom to Plan, Power to Choose.” The event brought together health professionals, policymakers and advocates to discuss the alarming number of unsafe abortions in Nigeria and the urgent need to improve access to contraceptives as a solution to unplanned pregnancies and maternal mortality.

Continued: https://sciencenigeria.com/stakeholders-alarmed-by-610000-unsafe-abortions-in-nigeria-urge-contraceptive-access/