The Federal Government has rolled out a comprehensive national roadmap aimed at strengthening midwifery services and improving maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes across Nigeria, as part of renewed efforts to reduce mortality rates.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this during a ministerial press briefing held in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of the Midwife 2026.
Represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, the minister said the government has embarked on deliberate and strategic initiatives to enhance midwifery and maternal health services, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
He described midwives as critical frontline health workers, emphasizing that no healthcare system can deliver optimal maternal and child health services without a sufficient number of skilled professionals.
“As frontline providers, midwives play an indispensable role in safeguarding lives from pregnancy through childbirth and beyond,” he said.
Central to the government’s strategy is the launch of the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030, a national framework designed to strengthen education, workforce capacity, leadership, and service delivery.
Under the roadmap, the government plans to expand training institutions, increase student intake for midwifery programmes, and modernize education to align with global best practices. It will also create more employment opportunities, remove recruitment barriers, and ensure equitable deployment of midwives, especially in rural areas.
The minister further highlighted ongoing investments in continuous professional development through competency-based training and life-saving skills acquisition to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.
He noted that targeted interventions such as the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), alongside Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care programmes, are being scaled up to address high-burden areas and improve national health indices.
Speaking on the global theme, “One Million More Midwives,” Pate described it as timely, noting the acute shortage of midwives worldwide, including in Nigeria.
He stressed that scaling up the midwifery workforce remains a critical strategy for improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The minister also revealed ongoing partnerships aimed at equipping midwives with essential tools, improving welfare, and enhancing motivation and retention, noting that a well-supported workforce delivers better healthcare outcomes.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding midwife production, strengthening primary healthcare systems, investing in digital health solutions, and deepening community engagement to promote skilled birth attendance.
In her welcome address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Okpako Okpikpi, said the event underscored the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s health system while celebrating the vital contributions of midwives.
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“Midwives remain at the heart of our healthcare system, providing essential care before, during, and after childbirth, often under challenging conditions,” she said.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to improving training, working conditions, and healthcare infrastructure, while acknowledging the continued support of development partners in advancing maternal and child health in Nigeria.
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