The Federal Government has released the Nigeria National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Report 2024, describing it as a vital tool for evidence-based decision making and better health planning in the country.
Speaking at the official launch held at the Ministry of Health and Welfare conference hall in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of State for Health and Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the report presents a “mix” of findings, revealing progress in some areas, regional disparities, stagnation and worrying setbacks in key health indicators.
“The NDHS 2024 is an extremely important source of demographic and health data that enables evidence-based policy decisions, monitoring progress toward established goals such as the SDGs, and identifying disparities in key health indicators,” Salako said.
According to the Minister, the total fertility rate decreased from 5.3 in 2018 to 4.8 children per woman in 2024, while the use of modern contraceptives among married women increased from 12% to 15%.
“These improvements are important,” he said, “but they remain far below the levels we need to ensure rapid social and economic progress.”
It revealed that prenatal care coverage is now 63%, skilled delivery 46% and postnatal care within two days of delivery has increased to 42%, up from 38% in 2018.
“Too many of our births continue to occur without specialized assistance,” Salako said, highlighting that the federal government is stepping up interventions through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) and the Nigerian Child Survival Action Plan 2025-2029.
The Minister further revealed that under-five mortality has reduced from 132 to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, but neonatal mortality remains high at 41 per 1,000 live births.
Regarding immunization, he said that only 39% of children between 12 and 23 months are fully vaccinated, while 31% have never received any vaccine, a situation that he described as “deeply worrying.”
“This highlights the hard work still needed to address the high burden of zero-dose immunization and coverage disparities,” he added.
Salako also expressed concern over the poor diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, stating that only 1% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 49 have ever been told that they have high blood sugar levels, and only 5% of men and 8% of women have ever been told about high blood pressure.
“This is in stark contrast to studies showing a prevalence of hypertension and diabetes as high as 38% and 7%, respectively,” he noted.
He said the Federal Government has begun translating the NDHS findings into policy reforms and system-wide improvements aimed at building a more efficient, inclusive and equitable health system.
“The report is a mirror to see ourselves as we are and a map to navigate forward,” he said.
Salako commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing health as a key driver of national development through increased funding, executive orders and reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s health indices.
“The movement to achieve improvements is the responsibility of all of us,” he said, urging state governments, the private sector, development partners and civil society to “take ownership of this report” and collaborate to create a 21st century health system that saves lives.
He thanked his partners, including USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, the Global Fund, the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, the WHO, FCDO and academia for their role in the survey.
“Let us continue to work together to use this report as a ladder for progress, impact and better health for Nigerians,” he said before formally launching the NDHS Report 2024. “And so, with peace and abundance, Nigeria will succeed.”
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