By Victoria Attah
The Federal Government has unveiled a new midwifery reform agenda aimed at addressing persistent concerns over maternal and newborn mortality in Nigeria, as pressure mounts to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery across the country.
The initiative was highlighted in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Midwife, where health stakeholders gathered to assess ongoing gaps in maternal health outcomes and workforce capacity.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the government is deliberately prioritising midwifery as part of broader efforts to strengthen the national health system and improve survival rates for mothers and newborns.
Represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, the Minister noted that midwives remain a critical link between communities and the health system, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to skilled care remains limited.
He stressed that improving maternal health outcomes cannot be achieved without expanding, properly training, and equitably deploying midwives across the country.
At the centre of the reforms is the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030, a national roadmap designed to reposition the profession through reforms in training, workforce planning, leadership development, and service delivery.
The framework outlines plans to expand training institutions, increase enrolment into midwifery programmes, modernise curricula in line with global standards, and improve deployment systems to address long-standing imbalances in workforce distribution.
Officials also said continuous professional development will be strengthened, with emphasis on emergency obstetric skills and improved response to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
The strategy is aligned with existing maternal health interventions, including the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), as well as emergency obstetric and newborn care programmes aimed at improving survival outcomes.
Speaking on the global theme, “One Million More Midwives,” the Minister acknowledged the persistent shortage of skilled midwives, describing it as a key constraint to improving maternal health indicators in Nigeria and globally.
He added that government is working to improve welfare, working conditions, and retention strategies for health workers, while also introducing digital health tools to support service delivery and accountability within the system.
“We are focusing not just on numbers, but on ensuring midwives are empowered, supported, and deployed where they are most needed,” he said.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare systems, where midwives play a frontline role in delivering essential maternal and child health services.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S. (mni), represented by Dr. Okpako Okpikpi, said the occasion highlighted both the contributions of midwives and the urgency of addressing systemic gaps in the health sector.
She noted that midwives continue to operate under difficult conditions while remaining central to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, pledging sustained government investment in training, infrastructure, and workforce support.
Health stakeholders and development partners at the Abuja event also reiterated the need for stronger implementation of reforms aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths nationwide.
