…As Nigeria Records 82,000 Fatalities Annually
By Edward Oseghe
The Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has urged Nigeria’s medical and academic community to draw inspiration from the pioneering work of Prof. Jacob Unuigbe and intensify efforts toward eliminating deaths associated with childbirth.
He made the appeal on Wednesday in Okada, Edo State, during a valedictory session marking Prof. Unuigbe’s retirement. The event celebrated decades of scholarship and recognised a career devoted to confronting one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
Describing the celebrant as a distinguished scholar of global repute, Ezemonye said his career had been defined by a commitment to training highly skilled healthcare professionals. He added that Unuigbe’s influence extends well beyond the university, with former students making notable contributions within and outside Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the far-reaching impact of Unuigbe’s research, noting that it has compelled deeper scrutiny of systemic weaknesses in the nation’s healthcare delivery.
“Nigeria currently records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with approximately 1,047 women dying for every 100,000 live births.
“This translates to an estimated 82,000 women lost annually, due to largely preventable complications like haemorrhage, sepsis and hypertensive disorders,” he said.
He stressed that these figures represent real lives—mothers, daughters and sisters—whose continued loss reflects a grave national concern.
Delivering a lecture titled “Reducing Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: What Still Works and What Must Change—A Journey Through the Evidence,” guest speaker Prof. Dilichukwu Anumba described the situation as both a public health emergency and a systemic failure. He noted that while wealthier nations tend to record lower mortality rates, economic growth alone does not guarantee improvement.
“The large spread of countries at a given level of income makes clear that there is more than income that matters: healthcare and nutrition also play a big role,” Anumba explained.
He observed that although deaths linked to haemorrhage have declined in absolute terms, its share among the causes has remained significant. He therefore emphasised the need for greater awareness of early warning signs during pregnancy and timely access to medical care.
Echoing Unuigbe’s lifelong advocacy, Anumba outlined measures that continue to yield results, including community-based health insurance and task-shifting to trained personnel. He also called for stronger accountability through clinical audits, deliberate mentorship, and comprehensive reforms within the health system.
In his remarks, Prof. Unuigbe expressed gratitude to the university’s founder, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CFR, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, for the opportunity to serve. He reflected on a career spanning 17 years at the University of Benin, 16 years in Saudi Arabia, and 19 years at IUO.
A former Provost of the College of Health Sciences, IUO, and a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, he thanked colleagues, family members and well-wishers for the recognition, pledging to remain engaged with the institution and continue contributing to its growth in retirement.
, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has urged Nigeria’s medical and academic community to draw inspiration from the pioneering work of Prof. Jacob Unuigbe and intensify efforts toward eliminating deaths associated with childbirth.){kind=link}