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Nigeria’s leading child health experts have declared a state of emergency over the country’s staggering neonatal mortality rates, revealing that more than 800 newborns die across the nation every single day.
The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) issued the warning during a press conference in Abeokuta, ahead of its 57th Annual General Meeting. The association’s President, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, described the current statistics as a “deeply troubling” indictment of the nation’s healthcare system, noting that the vast majority of these infants perish from causes that are entirely preventable with basic medical care.
The Silent Killers: Malnutrition and Vaccine Hesitancy
Dr. Ekure highlighted a devastating link between hunger and infant survival, revealing that malnutrition is a contributing factor in nearly 50 percent of all child deaths in Nigeria. She explained that a poorly nourished child lacks the immune strength to fight off common infections that would otherwise be treatable.
Beyond nutrition, the association identified a dangerous rise in vaccine hesitancy and misinformation as a primary driver of the crisis. This trend has led to a resurgence of diseases like measles, mirroring a global decline in immunization coverage.
“Vaccines remain one of the most cost-effective public health interventions,” Dr. Ekure stated, urging a renewed focus on routine immunization. She also called on the media to act as a shield against false narratives that discourage parents from seeking life-saving vaccinations for their children.
Missing the Target on Global Goals
The paediatricians warned that Nigeria is significantly lagging behind in its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), which aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030.
To bridge this gap, PAN is calling for an urgent surge in political will and financial investment. Dr. Ekure emphasized that poverty, insecurity, and weak health financing are systemic barriers that must be dismantled to protect Nigeria’s youngest citizens.
Obasanjo Steps in as National Advocate
In a strategic move to elevate the cause, the association visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). The paediatricians formally appealed to the former leader to serve as a national advocate for child nutrition and healthcare.
Accepting the role, Chief Obasanjo pledged to leverage his global influence to push for better health outcomes. While noting he no longer has young children of his own, he stressed that the survival of every Nigerian child is a collective national duty.
As the 57th Scientific Conference begins, the message from the nation’s paediatricians is clear: without immediate action and appropriate technology deployment, hundreds of families will continue to mourn preventable losses every morning.
