The Federal Government has launched a new national strategy aimed at addressing Nigeria’s estimated shortage of 30,000 midwives, as part of renewed efforts to tackle the country’s persistently high maternal and infant mortality rates.
The policy document, titled Nigeria Strategic Direction for Midwifery 2025–2030, was unveiled in Abuja during activities marking the International Day of the Midwife, according to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the launch, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the government is implementing “deliberate and strategic initiatives” to strengthen the midwifery workforce and improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, the minister explained that the roadmap would expand training institutions, increase student intake, and modernise midwifery education to align with global standards.
“The Ministry is expanding training institutions and increasing student intake for midwifery programmes, while also standardising and modernising education,” he said.
Pate added that the strategy would also focus on creating employment opportunities, removing recruitment bottlenecks, and ensuring equitable deployment of midwives—particularly in rural and underserved communities where maternal deaths are most prevalent.
He further disclosed that the government plans to scale up competency-based training and continuous professional development, while targeting high-burden areas through the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative.
“No health system can provide optimal maternal and child health services without an adequate number of skilled midwives,” Pate stressed.
Despite ongoing interventions, Nigeria continues to account for a significant share of global maternal and child deaths, raising concerns among stakeholders.
The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, warned that urgent investment in workforce development and quality education remains critical to reversing the trend.
“On a global scale, Nigeria ranks among the highest in maternal and infant mortality,” he said.
“One in every four maternal deaths globally occurs in Nigeria.”
Alhassan emphasised that improving working conditions and empowering midwives to practise at full capacity are essential components of the solution.
“We must create an enabling environment where midwives can work with autonomy, dignity, and the right tools,” he added.
Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Haruna Mamman, estimated the national shortfall at about 30,000 midwives.
Represented by the FCT Chairman of the association, Jama Medan, Mamman attributed the deficit to underfunded training programmes and weak support systems.
“Lack of adequate attention to midwife training is one of the challenges we face. Training is underfunded, alongside other critical resources,” he said.
He called on authorities to prioritise improved welfare for midwives, noting that better working conditions and sustained investment in education would significantly reduce maternal deaths.
The 2026 International Day of the Midwife, themed “One Million More Midwives,” underscores the global shortage of skilled birth attendants and the urgent need for increased investment in the profession.
Health experts say expanding the midwifery workforce remains one of the most cost-effective strategies for improving maternal and child health outcomes.
For Nigeria, stakeholders maintain that the success of the new strategy will depend on sustained implementation and strong political will to close the widening workforce gap and prevent avoidable deaths during childbirth.
