Stakeholders from the medical profession, traditional institutions, religious bodies, security agencies, civil society organisations and human rights groups have thrown their weight behind the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, describing it as a timely and well-conceived piece of legislation capable of reducing maternal mortality, protecting healthcare professionals and providing a clear legal framework for safe pregnancy management in the state.
The broad endorsement came during a public hearing organised by the Ogun State House of Assembly to gather public input on the proposed bill, which seeks to regulate the safe termination of pregnancy under clearly defined circumstances while safeguarding the lives of women and medical practitioners.
The stakeholders agreed that the current legal ambiguity surrounding pregnancy termination has contributed to delays in emergency medical care and exposed many women and girls to unsafe abortion practices carried out by unqualified persons, resulting in avoidable deaths and severe health complications.
Among those who spoke in support of the bill were former Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Azeem Adekunle Ashimi; representative of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nurse Bello Adejoke; the Onitafin of Otafin, Oba Morufu Alani Adebayo; representative of the Civil Society Advocacy for Human Rights and Social Development, Alhaji Adesina Adefolahan; representative of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, Dr. Tajudeen Usman; representative of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr. Shorounmu Tessie; representative of the Ogun State Police Command, ACP Glory Agbor Otonko; representative of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Yinka Folarin; and representative of the Centre for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities, Oduntan Bunmi, among others.
The participants called for the removal of uncertainties in the existing legal provisions governing pregnancy termination, noting that such ambiguities often place healthcare workers in difficult situations and delay life-saving medical interventions.
They stressed the need for adequate legal protection and indemnity for qualified medical practitioners acting within the provisions of the law, while also recommending strict measures to ensure that only licensed healthcare professionals are permitted to provide such services.
The stakeholders further advocated stronger mechanisms to protect victims of rape and incest from falling into the hands of quacks, insisting that access to safe, regulated and professional healthcare services would significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths and complications.
Speaking at the hearing, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, described the proposed legislation as a major step towards safeguarding the health and lives of women while providing legal protection for healthcare practitioners.
According to her, the law would establish a comprehensive framework that prioritises the welfare of women and girls, particularly those facing difficult pregnancy-related circumstances.
She explained that beyond reducing maternal mortality, the legislation would also expand access to mental health services for women and girls experiencing emotional and psychological trauma arising from unwanted pregnancies.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, said the bill was inspired by the urgent need to address the alarming rate of preventable maternal deaths across the state.
He noted that too many women continue to lose their lives or suffer permanent health complications due to pregnancy-related issues that could have been prevented through a clear legal and healthcare framework.
Hon. Haruna encouraged participants to make meaningful contributions during the public hearing, assuring them that every recommendation would receive careful legislative consideration before the bill is passed.
Declaring the stakeholders' forum open, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, said the proposed law was designed to establish a legal and institutional framework for the safe termination of pregnancy under defined circumstances.
He observed that the Assembly was concerned about the increasing incidence of unregulated abortions and the growing number of avoidable deaths among women and adolescents resulting from unsafe procedures.
The Speaker explained that the proposed legislation seeks to strike a balance between protecting women's health and ensuring accountability within the healthcare system by providing clear operational guidelines for qualified practitioners.
He added that the bill would not only protect genuine medical professionals carrying out their duties in accordance with the law but would also discourage criminal elements who exploit the absence of clear regulations to endanger lives.
According to him, the legislation is intended to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, and establish lawful conditions under which safe termination of pregnancy may be carried out.
Rt. Hon. Elemide assured participants that all memoranda, observations and recommendations presented during the public hearing would be thoroughly examined before the bill is finalised.
He expressed confidence that the engagement would culminate in a comprehensive and balanced law capable of strengthening safe pregnancy management, improving maternal healthcare outcomes and protecting the interests of women, healthcare providers and the wider society in Ogun State.
