How Nigeria’s Abortion Bill Could Worsen Public Health Outcomes for Women

How Nigeria’s Abortion Bill Could Worsen Public Health Outcomes for Women

By Prince Benson Davies

A Bill That Risks Lives Nigeria is at a crossroads. A proposed bill seeks to impose a 10-year jail term on anyone found guilty of supplying abortionrelated drugs or instruments. Supporters of the bill argue that it protects the sanctity of life. Yet health workers, legal experts, and reproductive rights advocates warn that it could have devastating consequences for women’s health, dignity, and future.
This debate is not just about the law. It is about life and death. It is about whether Nigeria will choose compassion and evidence-based policy, or whether it will deepen a crisis that already claims thousands of women’s lives each year.

The Reality of Unsafe Abortion in NigeriaGlobally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that around 19% of pregnancies end in abortion, and unsafe abortion remains a leading cause of maternal mortality. In Nigeria, where abortion is already heavily restricted, the consequences are stark.Maternal mortality rate: Nigeria records 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world.Unsafe abortion burden: Research suggests that over 610,000 unsafe abortions occur annually, disproportionately affecting young women aged 15–24.Hospital impact:
Doctors report wards filled with women suffering complications from unsafe procedures—sepsis, haemorrhage, infertility, and sometimes death.The proposed bill threatens to worsen this crisis by driving women further underground, away from qualified providers and into the hands of unlicensed individuals using unsterilized equipment.Voices from the FrontlinesHealth workers and advocates have spoken out with urgency:Dr Nneoma Mbanugo, obstetrician-gynaecologist: “
This bill is a recipe for disaster. We’re already seeing the devastating consequences of unsafe abortions in our hospitals. This bill will only make things worse.”Dr Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, legal practitioner: “The bill is an infringement on women’s rights. It’s a violation of their right to health, dignity, and autonomy.”Bisi Nwankwo, reproductive rights advocate: “This bill is a step backwards for women’s rights in Nigeria. We need to focus on providing access to safe and legal abortion services, not criminalising it.”Their warnings are not abstract. They reflect daily realities in hospitals, communities, and families across Nigeria.Human Stories Behind the DebateStatistics alone cannot capture the human cost. Consider:Amina, a 17-year-old from Kano, became pregnant after sexual violence. With no safe options, she sought help from an unqualified provider. She died from complications, leaving her family devastated.Ngozi, a successful businesswoman, faced an unplanned pregnancy. Despite her resources, stigma and restrictive laws pushed her into secrecy. She survived, but the emotional toll affected her relationships and self-worth.Bisi, a 24-year-old student, bought abortion pills from an unlicensed source because healthcare providers were judgmental. She nearly lost her life to infection.

These stories illustrate the desperation women face when laws criminalise care instead of providing safe, supportive services.Why Criminalisation FailsCriminalising abortion does not stop abortion. It only makes it unsafe. Evidence from countries worldwide shows that restrictive laws do not reduce abortion rates; they simply increase the risks.Latin America: Countries with strict bans, like El Salvador, report high rates of unsafe abortion and maternal deaths.South Africa: After liberalising abortion laws in 1996, maternal deaths from unsafe abortion dropped dramatically.Ethiopia: Expanding access to safe abortion reduced complications and improved women’s health outcomes.Nigeria risks isolating itself from international best practices by pursuing punitive measures rather than public health solutions.Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable GroupsThe proposed bill would not affect all women equally. It would hit hardest those already marginalised:Rural women: With limited access to healthcare, they would be forced into unsafe procedures.Adolescents and young women: Lacking reproductive health information, they are more likely to seek unsafe abortions.Poor women: Unable to afford safe alternatives, they would bear the brunt of complications, deepening cycles of poverty.

The economic burden is also significant. Complications from unsafe abortion increase healthcare costs, reduce productivity, and exacerbate inequality.A Human Rights PerspectiveThe bill raises serious human rights concerns.Right to health: Enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and CEDAW, criminalisation undermines women’s access to essential healthcare.Right to dignity:
Forcing women into unsafe procedures strips them of autonomy and respect.Right to life: Ironically, by criminalising abortion, the bill endangers women’s lives rather than protecting them. Nigeria has international obligations to uphold these rights. Criminalisation is incompatible with those commitments. The Global Shift Toward CompassionAround the world, countries are moving toward decriminalisation and public health approaches. United Kingdom:
Advocacy groups like the Abingdon Green Party call for decriminalisation, emphasising compassion and support.Ireland: After decades of restrictive laws, Ireland legalised abortion in 2018 following a national referendum, reducing unsafe practices.Kenya and Ghana: Regional neighbours are expanding access to reproductive health services, recognising the public health benefits.Nigeria risks falling behind if it clings to punitive measures. What Nigeria Should Do InsteadRather than criminalising care, Nigeria should adopt a nuanced, evidence-based approach: Decriminalize abortion: Shift from punishment to public health. Expand safe services: Ensure access to qualified providers, especially in rural areas. Comprehensive sexuality education: Equip young people with knowledge about contraception and reproductive rights.Family planning services: Reduce unintended pregnancies through affordable, accessible contraception.Support systems: Provide counselling, postabortion care, and social services for women in need.Stakeholder engagement: Involve health workers, legal experts, faith leaders, and women themselves in policymaking.The Promise of InclusionBy prioritising inclusion and compassion, Nigeria can:Reduce maternal mortality.Improve women’s health outcomes.Break stigma and silence.Strengthen families and communities.Uphold human rights and dignity.This is not just about policy. It is about building a society that values women’s lives and futures.Choosing Life Through Care, Not CriminalisationThe proposed abortion bill is framed as protecting life. In reality, it risks destroying lives. Criminalisation will not stop abortion; it will only make it unsafe.Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. Will it choose punitive laws that deepen suffering, or compassionate policies that save lives? The answer will shape the health, dignity, and future of millions of women and girls.The time for silence is over. The time for care, compassion, and inclusion is now.