Behind the curtains: Inside Nigeria’s shadow network of abortion care

October 26, 2025
BY AYOMIDE LADIPO

The World Health Organisation recognises abortion as an essential health service to meet the global sustainable development goals. However, in 74 countries across the world, including Nigeria, abortion is illegal, with varying levels of punishment, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. Abortion is completely prohibited in 24 countries, while in 50 others, termination of pregnancy is only permitted when the woman’s health is at risk.

In Nigeria, abortion is illegal and carries a jail sentence of up to 14 years, unless done to save the life of the pregnant woman, which means post-abortion care is legal. In the Constitution, the Criminal Code Sections 228-230 and Penal Code Sections 232 & 233 criminalise abortion for all parties involved, including the medical personnel, with a jail time of up to 14 years, while Section 297 of the Criminal Code allows for abortion to be done to preserve the mother’s life.

Continued: https://www.thecable.ng/behind-the-curtains-inside-nigerias-shadow-network-of-abortion-care/

World Abortion Day: Nigerian women’s health rights in focus

2nd October 2025
Ene Oshaba

Every year on September 28, the world commemorates International Safe Abortion Day, a day rooted in the struggle for women’s rights to health and dignity. Originally launched in 1990 by the Campaña 28 de Septiembre in Latin America and the Caribbean, the day has grown into a global movement, observed in over 60 countries. It is a reminder that the right to safe abortion is not only a matter of personal choice but also a critical issue of public health, human rights, and social justice.

For millions of women and girls, particularly in Nigeria, abortion remains a life-or-death issue. It is estimated that 45 per cent of all abortions worldwide are unsafe, with the vast majority occurring in developing countries where restrictive laws and stigma block access to safe services. According to the World Health Organisation, unsafe abortion is one of the leading causes of preventable maternal deaths globally. In Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world, unsafe abortion remains a silent epidemic.

Continued: https://punchng.com/world-abortion-day-nigerian-womens-health-rights-in-focus/

NIGERIA – Group urges Lagos to act on safe abortion as maternal deaths rise

29th September, 2025
By Diana Omueza

The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Africa has appealed to the Lagos State Government to reinstate its suspended Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) guidelines.

Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, WARDC Africa’s Founding Director, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said reinstating the guidelines would help reduce maternal deaths caused by unsafe procedures.

Continued: https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2025/09/29/group-urges-lagos-to-act-on-safe-abortion-as-maternal-deaths-rise/

29.09.2025

News

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

WARDC

Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre

NIGERIA – Jigawa govt adopts STOP policy to curb unsafe abortions

Adamu Amadu
September 26, 2025

The Jigawa State Government has received the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) policy document, aimed at reducing cases of unsafe abortions carried out by quacks, unlicensed, and unqualified medical personnel across the state.

The document was officially presented shortly after a one-day high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at M-Town Hotel, Dutse, where participants deliberated on the formulation and implementation of the STOP policy in the state.

Continued: https://tribuneonlineng.com/jigawa-govt-adopts-stop-policy-to-curb-unsafe-abortions/

26.09.2025

News

Safe Termination Of Pregnancy guidelines

Nigeria – Stakeholders pledge adequate dissemination of STOP guidelines in Akwa Ibom

September 17, 2025
by Lovina Anthony

Stakeholders from Ministries of Health, Education, Justice and Women Affairs in Akwa Ibom State have pledged to ensure full sensitization and dissemination of Safe Termination Of Pregnancy, STOP, guidelines in the state.

Akwa Ibom is one of the six states in Nigeria that have adopted and domesticated the STOP guidelines.

However, a report by the observatory team earlier trained by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center, WARDC, to raise awareness on the STOP guidelines showed that many women and health workers in Akwa Ibom are not aware of the initiative.

Continued: https://dailypost.ng/2025/09/17/stakeholders-pledge-adequate-dissemination-of-stop-guidelines-in-akwa-ibom/

Nigeria – Maternal Mortality: Experts call for effective abortion laws

By Olayinka Ajayi
March 8, 2025

The founding Director, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi has said there’s urgent need to bring the issue of maternal mortality to the front burner of government.

Fielding questions from Newsmen during a two days workshop on ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Nigeria’ Akiyode-Afolabi noted that Nigeria is second to India in high maternal mortality globally.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/maternal-mortality-experts-call-for-effective-abortion-laws/

08.03.2025

News

Azubuike Oyebuchi

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

maternal mortality

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Nigeria

WARDC

Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre

Nigeria – Organisation intensifies campaign against unsafe abortion

December 26, 2024
by Damola Kola-Dare

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, a feminist organization, has amplified its advocacy for safe termination of pregnancy for women who require it including victims of rape and incest, women with physical and mental health condition.

The film was funded by WARDC, with a Yoruba phrase title: “TO BA SE WO” which in English expression means “What if it was you?”

It was aimed at enlightening the society on the harmful effects of unsafe abortion.

Continued: https://thenationonlineng.net/organisation-intensifies-campaign-against-unsafe-abortion/

26.12.2024

News

Impact of Unsafe Abortion on Women and Girls in Nigeria

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center

Nigeria – Abortion: Seeking exceptions to the Global Gag Rule

By The Rainbow
Aug 13, 2020

Nana, 14, wakes up petrified. It is 5:30 a.m. She was supposed to be up by 4:00 a.m., but was deep asleep and did not hear her angry aunt howling for hot water to bath with.

Though scared, she slowly and quietly walks into the kitchen, greeted her aunt, but the response was discomforting.

“Are you just waking up?'' Mrs. Alfred growled. “I am sorry,'' Nana muttered, shaking.

Continued: https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/290739/abortion-seeking-exceptions-to-the-global-gag-rule.html

More women may die as Trump creates $600m gap in funding, Nigerian activists cry out

More women may die as Trump creates $600m gap in funding, Nigerian activists cry out

On March 17, 2018
By Josephine Agbonkhese

One year after US President Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy, otherwise known as the Global Gag Rule, women’s rights activists in Nigeria have decried the policy’s effect on disadvantaged women and girls in the country.

The document, which prohibits the use of US aid money for abortions, prevents NGOs from using private funds for abortion services, from referring women to groups that provide abortions, and even from offering information on services such as contraceptives, has, in effect, created a $600m funding gap on maternal health services’ delivery worldwide.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/women-may-die-trump-creates-600m-gap-funding-nigerian-activists-cry/

Nigeria – VAPP Law, antidote to Global Gag Rule, says NRHJN

VAPP Law, antidote to Global Gag Rule, says NRHJN

March 13, 2018
By Sola Ogundipe

THE Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, has urged states of the Nigerian federation to pass the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2018 (VAPP Act 2018) into law without delay.

In a statement to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD, the network observed that the VAPP Law had potential to be Nigeria’s antidote to the expanded Global Gag Rule, GGR, introduced in 2017 by US President Donald Trump.

Continued: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/vapp-law-antidote-global-gag-rule-says-nrhjn/