A new report from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023–2024 has revealed a worsening teenage pregnancy crisis in Nigeria, with the northern region recording the highest prevalence among girls aged 15 to 19. According to the report, Kebbi State tops the national chart, with 31.6% of teenage girls having been pregnant at least once.
Kaduna State follows closely with a prevalence rate of 29.9%, Zamfara (29.8%), Jigawa (29.2%), and Bauchi (25.3%). The data shows that early pregnancies are heavily concentrated in the northern part of the country.
Other states with high teenage pregnancy rates include Katsina (22.9%), Sokoto (20.9%), Yobe (18.1%), and Gombe (16.3%). Middle Belt states such as Kogi (16.1%), Niger (16.1%), and Nasarawa (12.7%) also reported figures above the national average.
In contrast, states in the southern region reported significantly lower rates. Edo State recorded the lowest prevalence at 2.6%, followed by Lagos (2.7%), the Federal Capital Territory (3.8%), and Ogun (4.2%).
The NDHS 2023–2024 report provides the following breakdown of teenage pregnancy prevalence among girls aged 15–19:
Kebbi: 31.6%, Kaduna: 29.9%, Zamfara: 29.8%, Jigawa: 29.2%
Bauchi: 25.3%, Katsina: 22.9%, Sokoto: 20.9%, Yobe: 18.1%
Gombe: 16.3%, Kogi: 16.1%, Niger: 16.1%, Adamawa: 15.2%
Borno: 14.6%, Bayelsa: 14.5%, Taraba: 13.9%, Kwara: 12.9%
Kano: 12.9%, Nasarawa: 12.7%, Delta: 11.5%, Akwa Ibom: 10.7%
Benue: 10.1%, Ekiti: 9.9%, Plateau: 8.6%, Oyo: 7.5%
Osun: 7.3%, Rivers: 6.0%, Enugu: 5.9%, Ebonyi: 5.7%
Ondo: 5.5%, Anambra: 4.9%, Cross River: 4.8%, Abia: 4.7%
Imo: 4.3%, Ogun: 4.2%, FCT: 3.8%, Lagos: 2.7%, Edo: 2.6%
The report underscores the geographical disparities in teenage pregnancy rates, highlighting a significantly higher burden in the northern region.
