Ogun Assembly advances bill to reduce maternal deaths

The Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a legal framework for the safe termination of pregnancy in specified medical circumstances as part of efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the state.

The proposed legislation, titled “H.B. No. 036/OG/2026 – Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026,” was debated during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaking after the debate, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, assured that the bill would undergo thorough legislative scrutiny to ensure that its provisions are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other existing laws.

Elemide said the proposed law was designed to reduce preventable maternal deaths, promote safe motherhood and reproductive health rights, and establish conditions under which pregnancy may be legally terminated.

He stated that the House Committee on Health, alongside other relevant stakeholders, would subject the bill to detailed consideration to ensure it meets its policy objectives without creating legal conflicts or duplication.

Earlier, the sponsor of the bill and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Wahab Haruna, described the legislation as a critical response to the persistent challenge of maternal mortality and morbidity in the state.

According to him, the bill seeks to define the legal and medical conditions under which qualified medical practitioners in approved health facilities may carry out the termination of pregnancy, including cases where the life of a pregnant woman is at risk.

Supporting the bill, Babatunde Tella said it would provide legal backing for medical intervention in high-risk pregnancies where termination is considered necessary.

Also contributing, Lukman Adeleye said the legislation would align the state’s reproductive healthcare system with global best practices by providing a legal and institutional framework for pregnancy termination in legally recognised circumstances.

He added that the bill would also protect victims of rape from further trauma while contributing to efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

Other lawmakers, including Oluseun Adesanya and Yusuf Sheriff, expressed support for the bill, saying it would improve access to appropriate medical care and information needed to safeguard women’s health.

Following the debate, the House referred the bill to its Committee on Health for further legislative consideration.