Experts from the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) have warned that Nigeria must seek transformative, not incremental, reform to achieve its 2030 SDG targets, citing gaps in maternal health, gender equality and reproductive rights…
Speaking at the 59th SOGON conference held in Ibadan with the theme “Benefits of Reproductive Health: Panacea to Achieve the SDGs”, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated that gender equity, poverty, education and economic advancement have an impact on reproductive health, which is at the core of sustainable development.
The Minister, represented by Dr. Babatunde Ladi-Akinyemi, stated that Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest in the world, at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, stressing that reducing it to less than 70 per 100,000 by 2030, the SDG 3.1 target, requires urgent and intensified efforts.
He added that with just five years left until the 2030 SDG deadline, prenatal, neonatal and child clinics, as well as our adolescent and youth clinics, are the direct routes to sustainable development.
“It goes beyond medical treatment or laboratory test results. It involves discussions about basic human rights issues, allowing people to make informed decisions about their bodies, their families and their future,” he said.
Salako said policy changes and health sector reforms by the federal government have enabled more holistic programming to address the interconnected challenges of poverty, gender inequality and social exclusion, all key factors that contribute to poor reproductive health outcomes.
The minister made a compelling argument for greater male participation in reproductive health to improve family health outcomes and underlined that SDG 5.2, which aims to eradicate violence against women, is inextricably linked to advances in reproductive health.
She urged SOGON members to continue providing invaluable services to Nigerian women and families, champion clinical excellence, and advocate for policies that expand access to quality reproductive health services.
“The path to 2030 is short; the challenges are immense. But through collective will and coordinated action, we can ensure that reproductive health becomes a driving force in achieving Nigeria’s SDG goals,” he stated.
Former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, called on SOGON members, government agencies and communities to support a critical government priority, specifically the MAMI initiative, which aims to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Nigeria.
“We are trained people, in reality we are generals, that is why we must lead the battle so that no woman dies giving life and that we take care of young people. This is a sacred mandate that all obstetricians and gynecologists must fulfill,” he stated.
Keynote speaker Professor Peter Ebeigbe highlighted how climate change, resource scarcity, migration, insecurity and poverty intersect to disrupt reproductive health, citing examples of displaced pastoral communities whose women are unable to give birth safely and whose children lose access to education.
According to him, Nigeria must urgently rethink its priorities, tackle corruption and strengthen governance or risk failing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Despite the gaps, he argued that “five years is still a long time” and that the Nigerian government could seek economic diversification away from oil, fight corruption and make significant investments in workforce training.
He urged health professionals to, among other things, champion moral leadership, form cross-sector partnerships to advance SDG-related reforms, and engage in national reproductive health promotion.
SOGON President, Prof. Okechukwu Ikpeze, charged obstetricians and gynecologists to raise standards of practice and ensure that no woman in Nigeria dies unnecessarily during childbirth.
He said: “Health is key; it is the basis for socioeconomic improvement and is also an index of the performance of a society.” A society with low health rates is a disaster. So, if we improve health indices, everything will definitely grow.”
Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, Oyo State Commissioner for Health, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde, said every maternal death is a tragedy that leaves a permanent scar on our collective conscience, and every preventable complication is a reminder that Nigeria is far from complete reproductive health.
He said the SDGs are still within our reach if efforts are intentional, inclusive and strategic and called for the conference to propose new ideas, strengthen existing partnerships and inspire actionable results to protect the dignity, health and future of every woman and child.
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