Mirian Gom 
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria launches an ambitious national strategy to close a 30,000-midwife gap, targeting high maternal and infant deaths across the country.
The Federal Government unveils the Nigeria Strategic Direction for Midwifery 2025–2030 in Abuja, marking the 2026 International Day of the Midwife.
Speaking on Wednesday, Coordinating Minister of Health, Ali Pate, says the plan focuses on “deliberate and strategic initiatives” to expand training, improve deployment, and strengthen outcomes for mothers and newborns.
“The Ministry is expanding training institutions and increasing student intake, while standardising and modernising education,” he says.
The roadmap also targets job creation, equitable distribution of midwives, and improved access in underserved rural areas where mortality rates remain highest.
Pate stresses: “No health system can provide optimal maternal and child services without an adequate number of skilled midwives.”
Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Alhassan, warns Nigeria remains among the highest globally for maternal deaths.
“On a global scale, Nigeria ranks among the highest in maternal and infant mortality,” he says, citing World Health Organization data showing one in four maternal deaths occurs in Nigeria.
Industry leaders blame underfunded training and poor welfare. Haruna Mamman adds: “Training is underfunded, alongside other critical resources.”
Experts say scaling midwifery is one of the most cost-effective solutions to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
