In northeast Nigeria, the simple act of bringing a new life into the world has become a perilous journey—one fraught with dangers that few other places on earth can match. The region, already battered by years of Boko Haram insurgency, now faces a worsening crisis as foreign aid evaporates, government budgets shrink, and healthcare systems teeter on the brink of collapse. For countless women, the risks of motherhood have never been higher.
According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria recorded at least 75,000 maternal deaths in 2023. That staggering number accounts for more than a quarter of all maternal deaths worldwide. To put it in even starker terms: at least one in every 100 Nigerian women dies during childbirth, making Nigeria the deadliest country in the world to give birth, as reported by multiple sources including the Associated Press and the World Health Organization.
The situation is particularly dire in the country’s northeast, where the shadow of Boko Haram looms large. The militant group’s resurgence has brought renewed violence, leaving clinics destroyed, roads unsafe, and entire towns transformed into heavily militarized garrison communities. In Borno State, attacks by militants are a near-daily occurrence, making it almost impossible for many women to access even the most basic medical care.
“A lack of good hospitals is our problem, as well as a lack of workers, medication and doctors that can treat us. A lack of access to the road from Konduga to Maiduguri in the night time to visit the hospital is also a problem,” said Aisha Muhammed, a mother of twins from Konduga, in an interview with the Associated Press. Her words echo the struggles of thousands of women across the region, for whom the journey to a hospital is often as dangerous as the act of childbirth itself.
Chronic underfunding has only made matters worse. Africa’s most populous nation now finds itself with one of the world’s deadliest maternal mortality rates. In 2025, the Nigerian government slashed its family planning budget by a staggering 97%, a move that health workers say has left women with even fewer options for safe motherhood. At the same time, the withdrawal of hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid has left clinics without the resources they desperately need to operate.
“The reproductive health needs for women and girls is very critical, especially in deep field locations,” explained Dr. Fanya Fwachabe, Sexual and Reproductive Health Manager at the International Rescue Committee. “People in these areas find it difficult to access services because they’re either out of reach or located in militarized areas.” Her assessment, cited by the Associated Press, underscores the grim reality faced by women living in conflict zones—where even the most basic healthcare is often a luxury.
The consequences of these overlapping crises are painfully clear. Take the story of Falmata Muhammed, who lost a baby in 2021 while trying to reach Maiduguri for care. The only hospital in her town had been burned down by militants in 2020, replaced by a mobile clinic that was ill-equipped for childbirth. Now pregnant again, Falmata faces the same impossible odds, with insecurity cutting off access and resources dwindling by the day.
Health workers across the region are sounding the alarm. Without urgent funding and renewed international support, they warn, the already dire situation will only deteriorate further. “Government funds are inadequate, leading to suffering among women,” notes a recent report from Reuters, highlighting the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for intervention.
The numbers alone are sobering, but behind each statistic lies a human story—a mother, a family, a community left to grapple with loss. In towns like Konduga, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure has left women with nowhere to turn. Clinics have been destroyed, doctors are scarce, and even when facilities exist, they are often located in areas too dangerous to reach.
The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the militarization of civilian areas. Many towns have become garrison communities, with checkpoints and armed patrols a constant reminder of the ongoing conflict. For women in labor, the journey to a hospital can mean passing through multiple military checkpoints—each one a potential obstacle in the race to save a life.
International organizations have tried to fill the gap, but their efforts are hampered by the same challenges that plague local authorities. The withdrawal of U.S. aid has left a gaping hole in funding, while insecurity makes it difficult for humanitarian workers to reach those most in need. Mobile clinics, like the one in Falmata’s town, offer a lifeline but are often ill-equipped to handle complicated births or emergencies.
The crisis in northeast Nigeria is not new, but it has reached new levels of severity in recent years. Years of Boko Haram insurgency have left deep scars on the region, both physical and psychological. Clinics that once served entire communities have been reduced to rubble, and the threat of violence hangs over every aspect of daily life.
For many, the hope of a safe delivery is a distant dream. Health workers warn that unless urgent action is taken, the situation will only get worse. “Without urgent funding, the already dire situation will deteriorate further,” they caution, pointing to the combined effects of conflict, underfunding, and dwindling aid.
The Nigerian government’s decision to slash family planning budgets has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers. With fewer resources available, women are left with little choice but to risk childbirth without adequate support. The consequences are devastating—not just for individual families, but for entire communities struggling to rebuild in the aftermath of conflict.
Despite the grim outlook, there are glimmers of hope. Community leaders, health workers, and international organizations continue to advocate for increased funding and support. Their efforts, though often hampered by insecurity and lack of resources, are a testament to the resilience of the people of northeast Nigeria.
The stakes could not be higher. Every day, women risk their lives to bring new life into the world—a testament to their courage in the face of unimaginable odds. As one of the world’s deadliest places to give birth, northeast Nigeria stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. The world is watching; the question now is whether it will respond before more lives are lost.