By Kemi Olatunde

In Nigeria, induced abortion is only legally permitted to save a woman’s life. Nonetheless, abortion is common. A recent Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) study found that 4.6 percent of reproductive aged women undergo an abortion each year, equaling nearly two million abortions annually. Majority of these abortions are considered unsafe as they involve non-recommended methods (i.e. something other than abortion surgery or medication) in non-clinical settings. Such unsafe procedures contribute to 10 percent of maternal deaths which is equivalent to approximately 6,000 women dying each year.

 These preventable abortion-related deaths disproportionately occur among disadvantaged women, including poor and rural women who are more likely to have an unsafe abortion and are less likely to access care to treat abortion complications.

To set the record straight, abortion in Nigeria is illegal and carries a heavy jail sentence–up to 14 years imprisonment–unless it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman. Nevertheless, a large number of clandestine abortions continue to be carried out regularly, often with dire consequences for the lives and health of  women involved.

Abortion is a controversial topic in Nigeria. Abortion in Nigeria is governed by the two laws that differs greatly depending on geographical location. Northern Nigeria is governed by The Penal Code and Southern Nigeria is governed by The Criminal Code.

The only legal way to have an abortion in Nigeria is if the child is going to put the mother’s life in danger. However, sex-selective abortion has long had acceptance in Nigeria.

Abortion accounts for 40 percent of maternal deaths in Nigeria, making it the second leading causes of maternal mortality in the country.

Healthcare systems in African countries have failed to make the proper changes to ensure a better future for their citizens. The governments have either failed to make these issues a priority or they have attempted to introduce policies that have the opposite result of what was desired. Specifically in Nigeria, religious and cultural factors are major reasons behind the failure to address certain abortion issues.

Unsafe  abortions ruining adolescents’ future.

Many of the issues surrounding unsafe abortion focus on adolescents. Although unsafe abortion practices do affect most of the sexually active women in the country, it is believed that adolescents may require special circumstances and could be a reason for change in this area. Adolescents are the most in need of these services; if they adopt safe practices to avoid unplanned pregnancies, these problems could start to decline. In Nigeria, according to findings, teens are the most likely not to use contraceptives to avoid pregnancy and the most likely to turn to unsafe abortion practices.

Unwanted pregnancies are the leading causes of abortion in Nigeria. Unwanted pregnancies have many causes. Nigeria’s worsening economy and increasing urbanization are making the cost of living go higher. This is making it more necessary for women to be working, as well as men, to help support the family. When there are more children, it becomes harder for the women to concentrate on their works because they are expected to take care of the family first, thus women would rather be working than being pregnant or taking care of their children.

Another reason for the high rate of unwanted pregnancies in Nigeria is lack of family planning which causes  most women not to take their contraceptives. This is as a result of the fact that most women lack the education on the use of contraceptives, as well as access to health care units and the use of the contraceptive products in Nigeria.

So also ill-literacy on the use of contraceptives and the trend of uneducated women with too many children, who end up with unwanted pregnancies causes too many abortions. Both of these groups of women live in rural areas, where healthcare centres are spread out from one end to the other and are hard to find.

According to findings In 2020, an estimated 1.2 to 2.0 million abortions occurred in Nigeria, which is about three to five percent of reproductive age women (source).

More than 60 percent of abortions in Nigeria are considered unsafe. About 40 percent of women have abortion experience complications that require medical treatment. Complications include pain, bleeding, sepsis, pelvic infections, and injury from instruments.

 There are several reasons for abortion including the desire for smaller family, religious and cultural beliefs and non use of contraceptives among others.

Medical expert hinges delay of abortion legalization on hypocrisy and religious bias.

According to an Abuja based medical doctor who craved anonymity said: “Without fear of contradiction, I think that hippocrisy has plagued our reasoning and actions regarding abortion. A woman whom the society forbids having an abortion you prevent the “murder” of an unborn child also puts her life on the line if she eventually has it illegally. She can either die from post-partum haemorrhage or post-abortal infections resulting from patronage of an unskilled health worker who helped terminate her pregnancy in a non-regulated and unsterilized facility. She may also suffer long term complications such as secondary infertility after the improperly conducted procedure. Why increased mortality of women because we want to prevent deaths of unborn children? It’s important to note that promotion of awareness of abstinence and use of contraceptives are also considered sinful by some religious divides, and even if it was certified acceptable by them, can all humans adhere to it? Let’s stop the deceit. Let’s protect the vulnerable women who may require safe and regulated voluntary termination of unwanted pregnancies.”

More women make case for legalization

According to a mother of two in her mid 20s; “most women have unwanted pregnancies but do not have means to terminate them due to the fact that it is not legalised. These women are forced to visit  quacks or use concortion which in the long run might have side effects on them or worse still, complications. These women are not stupid, they have several reasons for not keeping a pregnancy including economic, family reasons etc. It is not out of place in my opinion to legalise it as it will improve the health of some women and also encourage focusing on desired numbers of children for a secured future.”

A 34-year old civil servant, Mrs Folake Adeboye while corroborating the above view explained that legalizing it will prevent premature death especially among the youths.

“During my first year in the higher institution, there used to be a female classmate of mine who was admired by all then. In less than two months, we lost her due to abortion. She was raped by cultists as we gathered and she resolved to terminating the pregnancy with concortion which didn’t go down well with her system. If it wasn’t illegal, she could have walked into any health facility to have the fetus removed by a professional.

“Also, some couples without children can trace their predicament to the side of effect of previous abortions. It is not a bad idea if it is legalised at least to preserve the lives of innocent souls.”

According to the results from a recent Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) abortion surveys in Nigeria, to reduce the burden of unsafe abortion-related maternal deaths and injuries, the following actions can be taken;

“Improve availability of information on sexual and reproductive health services. Women are often not aware of the legal indications for safe abortion in their state, or the availability of post abortion care for treatment of complications. Governments should increase women’s knowledge through improved sex education in schools and public information campaigns.

“Ensure that safe abortion and PAC services are available to the full extent of the law in a given state. This can be achieved through provider training and provision of necessary commodities like manual vacuum aspirator kits and mifepristone and misoprostol.

“Expand legal indications for safe abortion beyond situations in which the woman’s life is at risk. Five states and the Federal Capital Territory have already expanded legal conditions to include rape and incest through adoption of the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

“Encourage other states and the national government to pass the VAPP Act and to ensure access to safe abortion when a woman’s “physical or mental health are in danger” in accordance with the Maputo Protocol that Nigeria has signed and ratified. Making these changes could significantly reduce women’s use of unsafe abortion methods. It should increase availability of quality, voluntary contraceptive services throughout the healthcare system to prevent unintended pregnancies.”

A public health expert Daodu Igbalola stressed the need for women education on sexual health and what they should do after engaging in unprotected sex.

He said; ” in many western countries where it is legalised, a doctor has the right to terminate a pregnancy. Abortion issue is being fueled by the increase maternal mortality and also it is part of the agenda of people working on sexuality right.

“In my opinion, I believe that Nigeria’s current status is okay. If it should be legalised, at what month? is it all round? Those who are worried about unwanted pregnancies should channel their energy towards prevention through family planning. Anyone who is raped should go for emergency contraceptive.”

A young graduate, Bisola Opeyemi stated that it will be beneficial to have abortive legalised noting that a lot of young girls have lost their lives to unsafe abortions.

“I know of several cases of those who have died in the process of committing abortion. Those who perpetrate the act are mostly health practitioners who most times sleep with the patients before carrying it out. This affects patients in ways which are unknown to them.

“Those involved go through emotional trauma when this happens. A friend of mine who told me about it said that the  doctor who aborted for her slept with her many times before the abortion. She informed her boyfriend about it and he eventually ended the relationship. The period was hell for her before she summoned courage to move on with her life. If it is legalised, this kind of scenario will never come to play.”

Notable events in the history of abortion law in Nigeria:

1960: Abortion was criminalized in the north through the Penal Code

 1972: The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) attempted to reform abortion laws but was unsuccessful

 1975: The National Population Council (NPC) advocated for access to “safe and legal” abortion

 1981: The Termination of Pregnancy Bill was introduced to the National Assembly, but was opposed by religious groups and the National Council of Women’s Societies

 1991: The Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy (CAUP) was formed to defend women’s sexual and reproductive rights

 1992: CAUP organized a reform meeting with the Minister of Health, but the reform was unsuccessful

 2015: The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) was passed into law

Despite the illegality of abortion, many clandestine abortions occur regularly, often with serious consequences for the women involved.

In Nigeria, induced abortion is only legally permitted to save a woman’s life. Nonetheless, abortion is common. A recent Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) study found that 4.6 percent of reproductive aged women undergo an abortion each year, equaling nearly two million abortions annually. Majority of these abortions are considered unsafe as they involve non-recommended methods (i.e. something other than abortion surgery or medication) in non-clinical settings. Such unsafe procedures contribute to 10 percent of maternal deaths which is equivalent to approximately 6,000 women dying each year.

 These preventable abortion-related deaths disproportionately occur among disadvantaged women, including poor and rural women who are more likely to have an unsafe abortion and are less likely to access care to treat abortion complications.

To set the record straight, abortion in Nigeria is illegal and carries a heavy jail sentence–up to 14 years imprisonment–unless it is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman. Nevertheless, a large number of clandestine abortions continue to be carried out regularly, often with dire consequences for the lives and health of  women involved.

Abortion is a controversial topic in Nigeria. Abortion in Nigeria is governed by the two laws that differs greatly depending on geographical location. Northern Nigeria is governed by The Penal Code and Southern Nigeria is governed by The Criminal Code.

The only legal way to have an abortion in Nigeria is if the child is going to put the mother’s life in danger. However, sex-selective abortion has long had acceptance in Nigeria.

Abortion accounts for 40 percent of maternal deaths in Nigeria, making it the second leading causes of maternal mortality in the country.

Healthcare systems in African countries have failed to make the proper changes to ensure a better future for their citizens. The governments have either failed to make these issues a priority or they have attempted to introduce policies that have the opposite result of what was desired. Specifically in Nigeria, religious and cultural factors are major reasons behind the failure to address certain abortion issues.

Unsafe  abortions ruining adolescents’ future.

Many of the issues surrounding unsafe abortion focus on adolescents. Although unsafe abortion practices do affect most of the sexually active women in the country, it is believed that adolescents may require special circumstances and could be a reason for change in this area. Adolescents are the most in need of these services; if they adopt safe practices to avoid unplanned pregnancies, these problems could start to decline. In Nigeria, according to findings, teens are the most likely not to use contraceptives to avoid pregnancy and the most likely to turn to unsafe abortion practices.

Unwanted pregnancies are the leading causes of abortion in Nigeria. Unwanted pregnancies have many causes. Nigeria’s worsening economy and increasing urbanization are making the cost of living go higher. This is making it more necessary for women to be working, as well as men, to help support the family. When there are more children, it becomes harder for the women to concentrate on their works because they are expected to take care of the family first, thus women would rather be working than being pregnant or taking care of their children.

Another reason for the high rate of unwanted pregnancies in Nigeria is lack of family planning which causes  most women not to take their contraceptives. This is as a result of the fact that most women lack the education on the use of contraceptives, as well as access to health care units and the use of the contraceptive products in Nigeria.

So also ill-literacy on the use of contraceptives and the trend of uneducated women with too many children, who end up with unwanted pregnancies causes too many abortions. Both of these groups of women live in rural areas, where healthcare centres are spread out from one end to the other and are hard to find.

According to findings In 2020, an estimated 1.2 to 2.0 million abortions occurred in Nigeria, which is about three to five percent of reproductive age women (source).

More than 60 percent of abortions in Nigeria are considered unsafe. About 40 percent of women have abortion experience complications that require medical treatment. Complications include pain, bleeding, sepsis, pelvic infections, and injury from instruments.

 There are several reasons for abortion including the desire for smaller family, religious and cultural beliefs and non use of contraceptives among others.

Medical expert hinges delay of abortion legalization on hypocrisy and religious bias.

According to an Abuja based medical doctor who craved anonymity said: “Without fear of contradiction, I think that hippocrisy has plagued our reasoning and actions regarding abortion. A woman whom the society forbids having an abortion you prevent the “murder” of an unborn child also puts her life on the line if she eventually has it illegally. She can either die from post-partum haemorrhage or post-abortal infections resulting from patronage of an unskilled health worker who helped terminate her pregnancy in a non-regulated and unsterilized facility. She may also suffer long term complications such as secondary infertility after the improperly conducted procedure. Why increased mortality of women because we want to prevent deaths of unborn children? It’s important to note that promotion of awareness of abstinence and use of contraceptives are also considered sinful by some religious divides, and even if it was certified acceptable by them, can all humans adhere to it? Let’s stop the deceit. Let’s protect the vulnerable women who may require safe and regulated voluntary termination of unwanted pregnancies.”

More women make case for legalization

According to a mother of two in her mid 20s; “most women have unwanted pregnancies but do not have means to terminate them due to the fact that it is not legalised. These women are forced to visit  quacks or use concortion which in the long run might have side effects on them or worse still, complications. These women are not stupid, they have several reasons for not keeping a pregnancy including economic, family reasons etc. It is not out of place in my opinion to legalise it as it will improve the health of some women and also encourage focusing on desired numbers of children for a secured future.”

A 34-year old civil servant, Mrs Folake Adeboye while corroborating the above view explained that legalizing it will prevent premature death especially among the youths.

“During my first year in the higher institution, there used to be a female classmate of mine who was admired by all then. In less than two months, we lost her due to abortion. She was raped by cultists as we gathered and she resolved to terminating the pregnancy with concortion which didn’t go down well with her system. If it wasn’t illegal, she could have walked into any health facility to have the fetus removed by a professional.

“Also, some couples without children can trace their predicament to the side of effect of previous abortions. It is not a bad idea if it is legalised at least to preserve the lives of innocent souls.”

According to the results from a recent Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) abortion surveys in Nigeria, to reduce the burden of unsafe abortion-related maternal deaths and injuries, the following actions can be taken;

“Improve availability of information on sexual and reproductive health services. Women are often not aware of the legal indications for safe abortion in their state, or the availability of post abortion care for treatment of complications. Governments should increase women’s knowledge through improved sex education in schools and public information campaigns.

“Ensure that safe abortion and PAC services are available to the full extent of the law in a given state. This can be achieved through provider training and provision of necessary commodities like manual vacuum aspirator kits and mifepristone and misoprostol.

“Expand legal indications for safe abortion beyond situations in which the woman’s life is at risk. Five states and the Federal Capital Territory have already expanded legal conditions to include rape and incest through adoption of the 2015 Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

“Encourage other states and the national government to pass the VAPP Act and to ensure access to safe abortion when a woman’s “physical or mental health are in danger” in accordance with the Maputo Protocol that Nigeria has signed and ratified. Making these changes could significantly reduce women’s use of unsafe abortion methods. It should increase availability of quality, voluntary contraceptive services throughout the healthcare system to prevent unintended pregnancies.”

A public health expert Daodu Igbalola stressed the need for women education on sexual health and what they should do after engaging in unprotected sex.

He said; ” in many western countries where it is legalised, a doctor has the right to terminate a pregnancy. Abortion issue is being fueled by the increase maternal mortality and also it is part of the agenda of people working on sexuality right.

“In my opinion, I believe that Nigeria’s current status is okay. If it should be legalised, at what month? is it all round? Those who are worried about unwanted pregnancies should channel their energy towards prevention through family planning. Anyone who is raped should go for emergency contraceptive.”

A young graduate, Bisola Opeyemi stated that it will be beneficial to have abortive legalised noting that a lot of young girls have lost their lives to unsafe abortions.

“I know of several cases of those who have died in the process of committing abortion. Those who perpetrate the act are mostly health practitioners who most times sleep with the patients before carrying it out. This affects patients in ways which are unknown to them.

“Those involved go through emotional trauma when this happens. A friend of mine who told me about it said that the  doctor who aborted for her slept with her many times before the abortion. She informed her boyfriend about it and he eventually ended the relationship. The period was hell for her before she summoned courage to move on with her life. If it is legalised, this kind of scenario will never come to play.”

Notable events in the history of abortion law in Nigeria:

1960: Abortion was criminalized in the north through the Penal Code

 1972: The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) attempted to reform abortion laws but was unsuccessful

 1975: The National Population Council (NPC) advocated for access to “safe and legal” abortion

 1981: The Termination of Pregnancy Bill was introduced to the National Assembly, but was opposed by religious groups and the National Council of Women’s Societies

 1991: The Campaign Against Unwanted Pregnancy (CAUP) was formed to defend women’s sexual and reproductive rights

 1992: CAUP organized a reform meeting with the Minister of Health, but the reform was unsuccessful

 2015: The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) was passed into law

Despite the illegality of abortion, many clandestine abortions occur regularly, often with serious consequences for the women involved.