The Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has urged the Federal Government to reform Nigeria's abortion laws, citing the high number of preventable maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion. In a statement released to commemorate the 2026 International Safe Abortion Day, WARDC said Nigeria cannot effectively reduce maternal mortality while unsafe abortion remains a preventable cause of death and serious injury among women and girls. The organisation noted that Nigeria continues to bear one of the world's highest maternal mortality burdens.
According to WARDC, an estimated 1,000 maternal deaths occur per 100,000 live births in Nigeria, with unsafe abortion recognised as one of the causes of maternal deaths in the country. A nationally representative study estimated that 1.25 million abortions occurred in Nigeria in 2012, with about 212,000 women treated for complications arising from unsafe abortion. The organisation added that an estimated 285,000 women experienced serious complications without receiving the required treatment.
WARDC's Executive Chairperson, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said Nigeria needs to move from an approach centred primarily on criminalisation to a clear, rights-based and medically regulated framework for abortion care. A widely cited national estimate puts deaths from unsafe abortion at about 6,000 women annually, although WARDC notes that this is an estimate and abortion-related deaths may be underreported or misclassified. The organisation expressed concern about adolescents, citing UNICEF data which puts Nigeria's adolescent birth rate at 75 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19.
The organisation noted that adolescent pregnancy is significantly higher in rural communities, adding that young girls who become pregnant following rape or incest require protection, healthcare and dignity rather than additional trauma, stigma and the risk of unsafe abortion. WARDC called for reforms that clearly define when abortion is lawful, protect confidentiality and informed consent, regulate qualified providers and facilities, strengthen referral systems and ensure access to quality post-abortion care.
WARDC also urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to prioritise legal and policy reforms, health-system investment and accurate public information on abortion and reproductive health. The organisation added that measures should be taken to protect women and girls from unsafe practices, coercion and discrimination. WARDC emphasised that no woman should lose her life because she could not access safe healthcare.
The organisation stressed that Nigeria cannot reduce maternal mortality while ignoring unsafe abortion, and it is time to move from criminalisation to safe, regulated and rights-based abortion care. WARDC's statement highlights the need for a shift in approach to address the high number of preventable maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion. The organisation's call for reform is aimed at reducing the risk of unsafe abortion and promoting comprehensive abortion care.
The Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre's call for reform of Nigeria's abortion laws is a timely reminder of the need to address the high maternal mortality rate in the country. The organisation's efforts to promote safe and regulated abortion care are crucial in reducing preventable maternal deaths and promoting reproductive health.
Key points
- Nigeria has one of the world's highest maternal mortality burdens, with an estimated 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.
- Unsafe abortion is recognised as one of the causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria, with an estimated 6,000 women dying annually from unsafe abortion.
- The Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre is calling for a shift from criminalisation to safe, regulated and rights-based abortion care to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
