Invest in midwives for mother, child survival NANNM charges FG

Nigeria faces a critical bottleneck in maternal and newborn healthcare: a severe shortage of skilled midwives. As the country commemorates the 2026 International Day of the Midwife under the global banner "One Million More Midwives," health stakeholders are sounding an urgent alarm. Nigeria cannot meet its Sustainable Development Goal targets for reducing maternal and child mortality without rapidly expanding its trained birth workforce—a gap that has profound implications for both public health outcomes and healthcare sector investment.

## Why is Nigeria's midwife shortage a healthcare crisis?

Nigeria accounts for roughly 14% of global maternal deaths, despite representing only 2.6% of the world's population. The underlying cause is structural: the country has an estimated shortage of 50,000+ skilled birth attendants. Current estimates place Nigeria with only one midwife per 1,500 people in rural areas, far below the WHO benchmark of one per 500. This gap directly correlates with preventable deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Without trained midwives, pregnant women resort to traditional birth attendants or deliver without professional oversight—a practice that amplifies maternal mortality and neonatal complications.

The Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has charged the Federal Government to dramatically increase investment in midwife training, retention, and welfare. This isn't merely a humanitarian plea; it's an economic argument. Every dollar spent on midwife training and deployment yields returns in reduced hospital costs, improved workforce productivity, and stronger health system resilience.

## What are the investment implications for Nigeria's healthcare sector?

The midwife shortage opens a multi-billion naira opportunity for healthcare investors. Nigeria's healthcare sector is growing at 8–10% annually, but infrastructure and human capital lag behind demand. Private healthcare providers, nursing colleges, and medical equipment suppliers stand to benefit from expanded midwifery programs. International healthcare investors eyeing West Africa should recognize that countries with robust maternal health systems attract pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and health insurance providers—creating ancillary revenue streams.

Additionally, federal and state governments are under pressure to meet UN targets. This typically triggers donor funding—World Bank, Global Fund, bilateral aid—which flows to qualified healthcare organizations and private-sector partners managing maternal health initiatives. For savvy investors, these are entry points into the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem.

## How does this connect to broader healthcare reform?

Midwife investment is a bellwether for Nigeria's health system modernization. A country that invests in primary healthcare workers—particularly women in rural areas—demonstrates commitment to universal health coverage (UHC). Donors, multilateral institutions, and impact investors reward such signals with capital. Conversely, continued underinvestment signals weak governance, deterring long-term healthcare FDI.

Nigeria's government must commit to competitive salaries, continuous professional development, and improved working conditions to retain midwives. Brain drain to Gulf states and diaspora markets remains a persistent challenge. Without retention mechanisms, training expansion alone fails.

The 2026 midwife awareness campaign should catalyze policy movement: dedicated budget lines, loan schemes for nursing college expansion, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in maternal health facilities. Healthcare investors should monitor government health budget allocations in the 2026 fiscal year—this signals genuine reform intent.

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