Nigeria’s progress in reducing child deaths has been undermined by a rise in newborn mortality, with deaths among babies within their first 28 days increasing between 2018 and 2024.
The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed that neonatal mortality rose from 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 41 in 2024, despite a 17 per cent decline in under-five mortality.
Under-five deaths fell from 132 per 1,000 live births to 110 within the same period.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, raised concerns over the trend while speaking at the 2026 National Health Promotion Day in Abuja on Thursday.
Pate, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the figures highlighted the need to strengthen preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and timely access to quality medical services.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which prioritises maternal and child health, primary healthcare, immunisation and the reduction of diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
The minister said improving health outcomes required more than the availability of hospital services, stressing the importance of preventive interventions, informed personal choices and healthier environments.
He listed ongoing interventions to include hypertension detection, hepatitis elimination through initiatives such as Project 365, cervical cancer screening, improved nutrition, immunisation and measures to control communicable diseases.
Pate said the effectiveness of such programmes should be measured through increased screening, completed referrals, access to treatment and the prevention of avoidable illnesses.
He warned that public awareness campaigns would achieve little without accessible, affordable and effective healthcare services.
The minister also called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, workplaces, religious institutions, the media, civil society organisations and development partners to promote healthy lifestyles and tackle misinformation.
The development comes amid Nigeria’s heavy burden of maternal and newborn deaths.
The World Health Organisation estimated that Nigeria recorded 82,000 maternal deaths, 181,000 stillbirths and 277,000 neonatal deaths in 2020.
The combined 540,000 deaths accounted for 12 per cent of global maternal, stillbirth and neonatal deaths, although Nigeria contributed only six per cent of the world's live births.
Nigeria ranked second after India among countries with the highest combined burden of maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, according to the WHO's 2023 report.
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