UNICEF and Health Stakeholders Urge Nigeria to Increase Domestic Funding for Maternal and Child Healthcare

UNICEF and various health stakeholders are calling on the Nigerian government to significantly boost domestic funding for maternal and child healthcare, emphasizing the need to reduce reliance on external aid. This appeal comes amid alarming health indicators and recent cuts in international assistance that threaten the well-being of millions of Nigerian women and children.

In 2023, Nigeria recorded approximately 75,000 maternal deaths, accounting for nearly one-third of the global total. The country also has one of the highest maternal mortality rates worldwide, with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births. Contributing factors include widespread micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women, inadequate access to skilled birth attendants, and limited healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and conflict-affected regions.

UNICEF has highlighted the vulnerability of Nigeria's healthcare system due to its heavy dependence on foreign aid. Recent reductions in international funding, notably from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have led to the suspension of critical health programs, including therapeutic feeding initiatives for malnourished children. These cuts have exacerbated the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and communities in the northeast, where healthcare needs are most acute.

To address these challenges, UNICEF has urged the Nigerian government to increase its budgetary allocations to the health sector. Despite commitments made under the Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15% of the national budget to health, Nigeria's allocation has consistently fallen short, with just over 5% allocated in 2024. This underfunding hampers efforts to improve healthcare delivery and achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

In response to the crisis, the Nigerian government has approved a $1 billion plan aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality rates across the country. Civil society organizations have welcomed this initiative but emphasize the importance of transparent and accountable implementation. They advocate for comprehensive strategies that include strengthening primary healthcare systems, training healthcare workers, and addressing social determinants of health such as nutrition and education.

UNICEF and its partners continue to support Nigeria's healthcare system through various initiatives, including the delivery of multiple micronutrient supplements to improve maternal health and the establishment of primary healthcare facilities in underserved areas. However, they stress that sustainable progress requires increased domestic investment and a commitment to building resilient healthcare infrastructure that can withstand external shocks.

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