Editorial: Ending Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: A Call for Policy Action and Political Will

With a sense of purpose, I introduce this special issue of the Journal of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (JMWAN) on “Ending Maternal Mortality.” These seven key articles go beyond a mere academic resource to an evidence-based roadmap and a direct call to policy leaders to intensify efforts to prevent maternal deaths.

Maternal mortality is one of the most profound development challenges facing Nigeria today (Sarmadi, 2012). The persistence of high maternal mortality has dire repercussions for our nation’s sustainable development, slowing GDP growth and wasting our most precious non-renewable resource: our people (Adesina, 2020). Whilst progress has been made, the development of maternal health policies has often been followed by poorly coordinated and unsustainable interventions (Mathias, 2025; Kana, 2015). The time has come to bridge the disconnection between policy and implementation with focused, evidence-based action.

The research presented in this special issue, supported by a wealth of local data, points towards clear strategies that can be championed at the governmental level. A major focus must be onimproving access to and quality of care during labour and birth, as this is when the majority of preventable deaths occur (Sharma, 2015). Interventions such as ensuring skilled birth attendance and access to emergency obstetric careare proven to significantly reduce maternal mortality (Doctor, 2012; Yakoob, 2011). Indeed, greater government investment in healthcare is directly associated with increased utilisation of these necessary services (Kruk, 2007). Yet, with over half of mothers in Nigeria still giving birth at home, often without skilled help, an important policy and implementation gap remains (Adewuyi, 2025).

Furthermore, we must confront critical policy and funding gaps that create barriers to care. Maternal nutrition remains a lowpriority, underfunded area, despite its significance (Girard, 2012). This is frequently caused by a lack of coordination among governmental actors and a failure to promote its role in our nation’s economic development (Girard, 2012). Similarly, a holistic approach is needed to tackle the systemic determinants of maternal mortality, including strengthening healthcare services, ensuring universal basic education for girls, and empowering women (Idama, 2024; Adesina, 2020; Hashimu, 2025).

The seven articles in this special issue do not just describe the problem; they shed light on the path forward. They offer the essential data and analysis to craft and implement policies that save lives. 

We urge leaders at all levels to act now: 

1. Ensure integrated maternal health services are given precedence and fully funded, with an emphasis on expanding skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care nationwide.
2. Make maternal nutrition a central element of policy by synchronising activities and allocating sufficient resources to support maternal and child health.
3. Improve governance and monitoring in maternal health by actively tackling corruption, upgrading health management systems, and enforcing universal education for all girls as stipulated in current policies.
4. Embrace a comprehensive strategy that links investment in medical infrastructure, female education, economic security, and women’s empowerment to reduce maternal mortality.

This special issue is a resource, a guide, and a call to action. The evidence shows that our policies and interventions do reduce maternal deaths (Kana, 2015). Now is the time for leaders, practitioners, and advocates to act decisively. Commit to evidencebased solutions, promote policy change, and support implementation. Use this collection of research to renew and realise our joint commitment to ending preventable maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Dr. Nneka I. Iloanusi
Editor-in-Chief