ABEOKUTA —
- Nigeria records over 7 million births every year, yet maternal and infant mortality rates remain dangerously high due to weak healthcare delivery, especially in rural communities.
This was disclosed in a data journalism report by Group 2 students of the Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta, released as part of their MAS 301 coursework.
According to data sourced from the National Population Commission [NPC], UNICEF, and the World Health Organization [WHO], Nigeria remains Africa’s most populous country with a rapidly growing population. However, WHO still rates the country’s maternal mortality as “High” while infant mortality remains “Significant.”
The report identified malaria, infections, and malnutrition as the leading causes of infant deaths. It noted that rural communities with little or no access to functional primary healthcare centers are the most affected.
Healthcare Gap Behind The Numbers
Analyzing the data, the group stated that Nigeria’s challenge is not population growth, but survival.
“For every 7 million babies born, too many mothers and infants do not live to see their first birthday because of preventable causes,” the report stated. “This is not a population problem. It is a healthcare delivery problem.”
The students warned that without urgent action, Nigeria’s potential demographic dividend could turn into a demographic disaster.
Human Angle
The report gave a human face to the statistics, citing the case of a pregnant woman in a rural area of Ogun State whose nearest clinic is hours away and lacks personnel.
“These are not just figures. These are mothers, babies, and futures,” the report emphasized.
Recommendations
Speaking on the findings, Lead Researcher and Public Affairs Analyst, *Comrade Kunle Sodipo*, called on government at all levels to prioritize primary healthcare.
“Population growth is good for the economy only if those people survive and thrive,” Sodipo said.
He recommended three immediate actions:
1. Adequate funding for Primary Healthcare Centers in all 774 Local Government Areas
2. Training and deployment of skilled birth attendants to rural areas
3. Mass public education on nutrition, malaria prevention, and postnatal care
“We cannot celebrate 7 million births if we are silent about the mothers and babies we are losing,” he added.
Call To Action
The group urged government to invest in people, not just population, citizens to demand healthcare in their communities, and journalists to use data to hold power accountable.
The report concluded: “A growing population means nothing if we are not growing in survival.”
_The MAS 301 Data Journalism project used NPC, UNICEF, and WHO data to move from raw figures to analysis, human impact, and policy recommendations._
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