The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Africa has called on the Lagos State Government to reinstate its suspended Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) guidelines, warning that the policy gap is putting women’s lives at risk.
Speaking at an event in Abuja to mark World Abortion Day, WARDC founding director Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the suspension of the guidelines undermines women’s rights and contributes to the high rate of unsafe abortion practices in Nigeria.
“The suspension denies rape and incest survivors access to comprehensive services that are their right. It obstructs efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
Unsafe Abortion: A Leading Cause of Maternal Mortality
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks unsafe abortion as one of the major causes of maternal deaths globally, and Nigeria accounts for a significant portion of these preventable fatalities. Public health experts say the absence of clear guidelines leaves medical providers in limbo and forces many women into unsafe procedures that endanger their health and lives.
Akiyode-Afolabi stressed that safe abortion within the limits of Nigerian law is not only a medical necessity but also “a pathway to reclaiming bodily autonomy, mental health, and dignity.”
Call to Action
WARDC urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to act swiftly by reinstating the STOP guidelines, arguing that doctors need clarity to provide care safely and consistently. Without such guidelines, post-abortion services and emergency care remain fragmented and unsafe for thousands of women across the state.
“The law must prioritise women’s health and rights above politics or religion,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
Moving Forward
The advocacy group pledged to continue working with the Lagos State Government, health professionals, and civil society stakeholders to ensure that women and girls can access reproductive health services without stigma, fear, or discrimination.
The debate over abortion in Nigeria remains highly sensitive. However, health advocates insist that ensuring access to safe services within the law is critical to reducing maternal deaths and strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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