Nigeria’s Abortion Law and the Clamor for Reform: A Report

Abstract

Abortion is permitted in Nigeria only when the reason is to save the life of a pregnant woman. Otherwise, it is strictly prohibited and carries a jail term of seven years. Available statistics show that despite its criminalization, a lot of women still indulge in it clandestinely by patronizing unlicensed medical personnel, resulting in a lot of complications and maternal mortality. Death and complications arise because, most of the abortions are performed by unqualified abortion vendors. This report aims at presenting the position of the Nigerian government on abortion as it is contained in its Criminal and Penal Codes. Some major causes of abortion among Nigerian women as well as some adverse effects of abortion on the mental and psychological wellbeing of Nigerian women are also highlighted.