Bill on reduction of maternal mortality scales second reading in Ogun Assembly

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, has assured that the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law would undergo a rigorous process to ensure that its provisions do not conflict with existing laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant legislations.

Elemide spoke on Tuesday, shortly after members of the House conducted a debate during the second reading of the bill on the floor of the State House of Assembly, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

DAILY POST reports that the bill s titled: “H.B. No. 036/OG/ 2026-Ogun State Safe Termination of pregnancy law, 2026.”

Elemide explained that the bill which was meant to “Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Promote Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights, and to Establish the Conditions for the Safe Termination of Pregnancy in accordance with Legal Indications, and for Connected Purposes”, was necessary to reduce avoid maternal mortality.

The Speaker reiterated that the House Committee on Health and other relevant stakeholders would subject the proposed legislation to thorough scrutiny and ensure that it aligns with the Constitution and other applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while addressing the policy objectives of the bill without creating redundancy or legal conflicts.

Earlier, while opening the debate on the bill, the sponsor and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Wahab Haruna, described the proposed legislation as a critical intervention aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of maternal mortality and morbidity in the State.

He explained that the bill sought to establish a clear legal and medical position under which termination of pregnancy might be carried out by qualified medical practitioners in approved health facilities, including where the life of any pregnant woman is at risk.

Aligning with the sponsor’s position, Babatunde Tella noted that the bill was aimed at promoting safe medical intervention in high-risk pregnancies where termination is medically recommended.

Contributing to the debate, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, stressed the need to adopt globally accepted best practices in reproductive healthcare; saying that the proposed legislation would provide legal and institutional frameworks for a safe pregnancy termination in legally recognised circumstances.

He added that it would protect victims of rape from trauma and contribute to reducing maternal mortality.

On his part, Oluseun Adesanya and Yusuf Sheriff alongside other lawmakers supported the fact that the bill would boost access to the required information and medical intervention necessary to protect the women

The bill was subsequently committed to the House Committee on Health for further legislative action.