Ogun Assembly Receives Praise for Safe Termination Bill

The Ogun State House of Assembly received commendations from various stakeholders for initiating the Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, during a public hearing held on Thursday in Abeokuta. Stakeholders, including Dr Azeem Ashimi from the Nigerian Medical Association and Nurse Bello Adejoke from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, emphasized the bill's potential to reduce maternal mortality and protect healthcare professionals.

They highlighted the need to address legal ambiguities surrounding safe termination of pregnancy, which often lead to delays in patient care. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, stated that the legislation would safeguard women's health and provide access to mental health services for those facing emotional trauma from unwanted pregnancies.

Honourable Wahab Haruna, chairman of the House Committee on Health, noted the bill's conception was driven by the preventable deaths and complications faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth. Honourable Oludaisi Elemide, the speaker, indicated that the legislation aims to establish a legal framework for safe termination of pregnancy under defined circumstances.