… As Nigerian Fertility Rate Slides Down
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has disclosed that more women in Nigeria are turning to the use of family planning services, resulting in a decline in the country’s total fertility rate from 5.3 % of children per woman in 2018 to 4.8% in 2024.
Dr. Salako disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the unveiling of the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS, Report Data on Fertility, Child Mortality.
The minister said ,”Modern contraceptive use among currently married women increased to 15 %, up from 12 % in 2018, while the proportion
of women whose family planning needs are met rose to 37 % .”
He stated that the NDHS Report, is critical data that will guide national health policies, reveal disparities across regions, and strengthen evidence-based planning towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He noted that it is as “an indispensable tool for policy decisions, health equity, and efficient resource allocation.”
“These improvements are encouraging but remain below the levels needed to achieve rapid social and economic progress,” he noted.
According to the minister, the 2024 NDHS, conducted by the National Population Commission (NPC) with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and development partners, provides fresh insights into Nigeria’s progress and challenges in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.
“The report on maternal and child health shows that antenatal care coverage is 63 percent, skilled birth attendance is at 46 %, while postnatal coverage within two days of delivery has improved from 38 % in 2018 to 42 % in 2024.”
These findings mean that too many of our births are still occurring without skilled assistance, he added.
He also highlighted progress in child survival, with the under-five mortality rate ( SDG 3.2.1) declining significantly to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 132 in 2018. However, neonatal mortality rate (SDG3.2.2) remains almost unchanged at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 39 % 1,000 5 years ago.
“Considering that 40-45% of under -5 mortality occurs during the neonatal period , these findings challenge us to do more in addressing the leading causes of neonatal mortality in our country.”
“As part of our response, the ministry has launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) and the Nigeria Child Survival Action Plan 2025–2029, which contains multiple pillars of interventions that are context specific and coordinated ” he said.
The report also revealed that 39 percent of children aged 12–23 months are fully vaccinated against basic antigens, 20 % are fully vaccinated according to the national schedule, while 31 percent remain completely unvaccinated (“zero dose”), exposing deep inequities in immunization coverage across states.
The minister underscored the need to address the high burden of zero-dose immunization and disparity in immunization coverage in the country.
“Ownership of insecticide-treated nets remains widespread, with nearly six in ten households owning at least one, and half of pregnant women reporting usage, an encouraging sign for malaria prevention in pregnancy and child survival, he said.
However, the minister lamented the low diagnosis rates of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, noting that less than 10 percent of adults aged 15–49 are ignorant of their blood pressure or blood sugar status by a health worker.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Population Commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, hailed the NDHS reports as a national guideline to improve the improve the health outcomes and well-being of Nigerians.
He revealed that the survey covered over 40,000 households across the 36 states and the FCT, providing credible data for national and subnational planning.
