A new community-focused study has revealed a disturbing trend: unsafe abortions now account for more than one-third of pregnancy-related deaths among women living in Lagos slum communities. The research, conducted by the Leadership Initiative for Youth Empowerment (LIFE), examined conditions in Oshodi-Isolo and Mushin and found that women in these densely populated urban districts are grappling with severe socio-economic and healthcare challenges that continue to endanger their lives.
According to the study, titled “Identifying and Addressing the Root Causes of Preventable Maternal Deaths and Abortion-Related Mortality in Oshodi-Isolo and Mushin,” poverty, stigma, and weak health systems remain the most powerful forces driving unsafe abortion and maternal mortality. Although more than 85 percent of respondents said they attend antenatal clinics, many still find timely and quality care difficult to access due to overcrowded facilities, long waiting times, and restrictions placed on their ability to make independent health decisions. Many women rely on partners who may delay or veto crucial medical attention, while the harsh economic conditions in these communities mean that even minor health expenses can become overwhelming.
One of the most alarming revelations of the study is that 37 percent of respondents admitted to having had an abortion at least once, and many of those procedures were carried out under unsafe conditions. Women described terminating pregnancies because they lacked the financial means to support a child, had been rejected by partners, or feared judgment from family and society. In the absence of accessible, affordable, and confidential reproductive services, many resorted to unqualified providers, traditional concoctions, or over-the-counter drugs used without medical supervision, exposing them to serious complications.
Economic hardship remains a major driver of unsafe abortion. The study reports that 86 percent of the women surveyed earn below the national minimum wage of N70,000 per month. This reality makes safe reproductive healthcare financially out of reach for most of them. Cultural beliefs further compound the problem, as many women distrust orthodox medical care or fear hospital procedures like caesarean sections. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are often considered more welcoming and less expensive, which makes them a preferred choice even when complications require skilled medical attention. The study found several cases where women suffering from complications after unsafe abortions sought help from TBAs, only to see their conditions deteriorate further.
Stigma and fear also play a significant role in shaping women’s choices. Focus group participants described deeply rooted shame and social judgment surrounding abortion, which discourages women from seeking care at hospitals. Many fear being gossiped about, judged, or condemned on religious grounds. One woman from Oshodi-Isolo summed up the atmosphere clearly when she said that some women would rather risk their lives than visit a hospital where they believe people will talk about them. This stigma, combined with a lack of confidence in the discretion of healthcare facilities, pushes many women further into dangerous practices.
The study also exposes serious weaknesses within the healthcare system itself. Respondents spoke of long queues, overcrowded facilities, inadequate equipment, and unfriendly staff. Some communities lack 24-hour maternity services, while others have no ambulances available to respond to emergencies. These systemic gaps leave pregnant women and those experiencing abortion complications dangerously unsupported, especially during critical moments when timely care is essential for survival.
To curb the rising death toll, LIFE is urging the Lagos State government to invest in stronger primary healthcare systems, expand access to emergency obstetric and post-abortion care, and create financial support mechanisms for low-income women. The organisation further recommends widespread community education to promote safe motherhood, raise awareness about the dangers of unsafe abortion, and encourage men to become more involved in reproductive health decisions. It also calls for comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities, alongside the training of healthcare workers to ensure that women receive confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental care.
In its conclusion, LIFE’s report stresses that deaths linked to unsafe abortions are completely preventable and should never be normalized. With coordinated action among government agencies, civil society, health professionals, and community leaders, Lagos can drastically reduce maternal mortality and move closer to achieving global targets such as the Sustainable Development Goal of lowering maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. The organisation emphasizes that every woman, regardless of her income or social status, deserves access to safe, affordable, and dignified reproductive healthcare. Failing to address these barriers, it warns, will mean that more women continue to lose their lives to causes the world already knows how to prevent.
