Top 15 States with High Infant Mortality Rates in Nigeria – Nigeria has 67 infant deaths per 1000 live births, one of the highest rates in the world. State newborn mortality rates vary greatly, with some reporting dangerously high rates. This article explores the 15 Nigerian states with the highest infant mortality rates and their causes and risk factors. Poverty, poor healthcare, and poor maternity care contribute to higher rates in northern Nigeria. Immediate action is needed to reduce neonatal mortality and save babies in the worst-affected states. Significant investments in healthcare facilities, maternal services, and public health activities targeting infant mortality causes are needed to minimise neonatal fatalities.

The Top 15 States with High Infant Mortality Rates in Nigeria:

1. Ogun

Ogun in southwest Nigeria has the sombre distinction of having the highest infant mortality rate in the country. For every 1000 babies born alive in Ogun, 68 tragically die before their first birthday. This is over double the rate in developed countries. The leading causes of newborn deaths in Ogun are birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and malaria. Poor access to antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and newborn care contributes to high mortality.Top 15 States with High Infant Mortality Rates in Nigeria

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2. Ekiti

The state of Ekiti has the second-worst infant mortality rate nationwide. Social and economic disadvantages in this southwestern state mean 67 out of every 1000 newborns die. Only 1 in 3 mothers receive essential healthcare during pregnancy. This lack of access to quality maternal services increases the likelihood of premature birth, stillbirths, and newborn deaths.

3. Oyo

Oyo is ranked third for infant mortality nationwide, with 40 deaths under 1 year for every 1000 live births. The leading causes of newborn mortality are birth asphyxia, sepsis, and complications from prematurity. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices also contribute to high infant deaths from diarrhoea. Improving access to clean water and sanitation, along with better newborn care, could save many young lives.Good morning My Love Message

4. Yobe

This northeastern Nigerian state has the fourth worst rate of infant mortality, with 39 deaths per 1000 live births. Yobe suffers from extreme poverty and lack of healthcare access, especially for expectant and new mothers. Many women are unable to receive essential prenatal and postnatal care. Providing better family planning, antenatal services, and skilled birth attendants could dramatically improve newborn survival.

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5. Zamfara

Zamfara is ranked fifth for newborn mortality, with 38 babies dying before their first birthday out of every 1000 born. Vaccine-preventable diseases including pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhoea account for many of these deaths. Poor nutrition for mothers and babies also contributes to the high mortality rate. Increasing immunization coverage and improving nutrition could save hundreds of young lives each year.

6. Jigawa

Jigawa’s infant mortality rate stands at 38 per 1000, equal to Zamfara. This rural northern state suffers from endemic poverty and lacks basic healthcare infrastructure. Low rates of skilled birth attendance and poor availability of emergency obstetric care claim the lives of many newborns. Urgent investment is needed in maternal services to save babies in Jigawa.NYSC Portal

7. Katsina

The northern state of Katsina records 37 infant deaths for every 1000 live births. Most newborns die from preventable causes like sepsis, asphyxia, malaria, and tetanus. Katsina mothers have limited access to reproductive health services and qualified midwives. Improving antenatal coverage and clinics in rural areas could significantly decrease child mortality.Information guide Nigeria

8. Sokoto

Sokoto has the same newborn mortality rate as Katsina, with 37 dying before age 1 for every 1000 born. Sokoto is plagued by extreme poverty, illiteracy, and healthcare inequality between rural and urban areas. Poor nutrition, preterm birth complications, and maternal infections during pregnancy and childbirth also drive infant deaths. More needs to be done to target the root causes of mortality.

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9. Kebbi

In Kebbi, located in northwest Nigeria, 36 newborns die per 1000 live births. Newborn asphyxia causes around a third of these deaths. Many women do not receive adequate antenatal checkups or skilled delivery care due to poverty, transport issues, and a lack of clinics. Building more rural maternal health facilities could dramatically decrease Kebbi’s high infant mortality.JAMB portal

10. Borno

The northeastern state of Borno has long suffered from conflict and terrorism by Boko Haram. This insecurity has damaged healthcare infrastructure, leading to high maternal and newborn mortality. For every 1000 live births in Borno, around 35 infants die before their first birthday. Rebuilding and strengthening the local health systems is vital to save babies’ lives.Information guide Nigeria

11. Kano

Kano state in northern Nigeria records 34 newborn deaths out of every 1000 live births. Preventable newborn infections are a major killer in Kano, as are complications like birth asphyxia and low birth weight. Many mothers do not receive adequate antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Expanding access to maternal, newborn and child health interventions could reduce mortality.

12. Bauchi

Bauchi’s infant mortality rate stands at 33 per 1000, placing it twelfth nationwide. Neonatal mortality accounts for a large proportion of under-5 deaths. Key factors include inadequate nutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare and family planning services. Increased government investment in maternal and newborn health programs would save many young lives.

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13. Taraba

In Taraba, 32 newborn babies die per 1000 live births – placing the state thirteenth for high infant mortality. Leading causes of death include sepsis, meningitis, tetanus, and malaria. Low rates of skilled birth attendance also put newborns at risk. Strengthening neonatal care units and improving hospital deliveries could reduce Taraba’s high rate.Romantic love message

14. Adamawa

Located in northeast Nigeria, Adamawa has an elevated rate of 31 infant deaths per 1000 live births. Lack of women’s empowerment, illiteracy, and poverty contribute to poor maternal health and newborn survival. Many new mothers do not get postnatal checkups, putting babies at risk of undetected problems. More community outreach on baby care could save lives.

15. Niger

The state of Niger in north central Nigeria ranks fifteenth for high infant mortality, with 31 under-1 deaths per 1000 live births. Most newborns die from preventable causes like asphyxia, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. Expanding access to essential medicines, improving sanitation, and targeting vaccination programs in Niger would reduce young lives lost.

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Conclusion:

Nigeria’s high national rate of newborn mortality manifests in extremely elevated infant death rates in many states, particularly in the north. Most babies die from preventable conditions and lack of basic healthcare access and maternal services. Key initiatives to reverse these troubling rates include increasing the availability of family planning, boosting skilled birth attendance, improving emergency obstetric and newborn care, promoting breastfeeding, and expanding immunization coverage. With targeted interventions, thousands more newborns in Nigeria’s worst-affected states could celebrate their first birthdays.

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