Bill on reduction of maternal mortality scales second reading in Ogun Assembly
Ogun State House of Assembly Advances Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law
Abeokuta, Nigeria — The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, affirmed on Tuesday that the proposed Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law will undergo a comprehensive review to ensure alignment with existing federal legislation.
Elemide made the remarks following a debate during the bill’s second reading at the House of Assembly in Oke-Mosan. The initiative, titled “H.B. No. 036/OG/2026-Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026,” aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, promote safe motherhood, and safeguard reproductive health rights.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of thorough scrutiny by the House Committee on Health and relevant stakeholders, ensuring that the legislation complies with the Constitution and applicable laws while achieving its policy objectives without creating conflicts.
During the debate, Wahab Haruna, the bill’s sponsor and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, described the legislation as essential for addressing the ongoing issues of maternal mortality and morbidity in the state. He outlined that the bill establishes a legal framework for qualified medical practitioners to perform pregnancy terminations under specific conditions, including medical emergencies.
Babatunde Tella supported Haruna’s view, advocating for safe medical interventions in high-risk pregnancies where termination is advised by practitioners.
Hon. Lukman Adeleye also contributed to the discussion, calling for the adoption of globally recognized best practices in reproductive healthcare. He noted that the legislation would provide a necessary legal framework for safely terminating pregnancies in recognized circumstances and help protect victims of rape, thereby reducing maternal mortality rates.
Lawmakers Oluseun Adesanya and Yusuf Sheriff joined their colleagues in endorsing the bill, highlighting its potential to enhance access to vital medical information and interventions for women.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Health for further legislative considerations.