FG to Enhance Maternal and Newborn Healthcare Nationwide

The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to improving maternal and newborn healthcare across the country, as stated by Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, during a press briefing in Abuja. This initiative coincides with the 2026 International Day of Midwives.

Prof. Pate emphasized the critical role of skilled midwives in safeguarding lives during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly in underserved rural areas. The ministry has launched the Nigeria Strategic Direct Nursing and Midwifery 2025-2030, a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen education, expand workforce capacity, and enhance service delivery in nursing and midwifery.

Strategies include increasing student intake in midwifery programs, standardizing and modernizing midwifery education, and creating additional employment opportunities. The government aims to remove barriers to recruitment and promote equitable deployment of midwives, especially in rural areas, while prioritizing the professional development of midwives to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.