BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, OCTOBER 16, 2026/ 02:31PM

Borno State has recorded a 54% reduction in maternal deaths, moving from being the third highest in Nigeria to one of the most improved states in maternal healthcare.

This was disclosed by the Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Malam Gana, at the opening ceremony of the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series held on Thursday at the Abdul Samad Rabiu International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UniPod), University of Maiduguri.

The commissioner said Nigeria still has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world, with an equivalent of one maternal-related death every eight minutes in the country.

'Borno used to be the third highest in the country. But using advanced tools, digital methods and gadgets, we have recorded remarkable difference, and reduced the number by 54%,' Prof. Gana said.

He attributed the success largely to the adoption of digital health systems, citing the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, BOSCHMA, which bagged a presidential award last week for its performance.

Prof. Gana said the maternal health improvement is part of a wider reform drive under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

He listed the achievements to include, implementation of the Abuja Declaration of 15% budgetary allocation to health for three consecutive years.

A target to produce 1,000 nurses and midwives annually, revitalization of 100 primary healthcare centres across the state with stable power supply, adequate water, medicines and staff housing are among the successes he mentioned.

Also, he announced the upcoming commissioning of a 400-bed orthopedic hospital and the newly constructed Kashim Shettima University Teaching Hospital.

He added that Borno is the first state in Nigeria to offer a rural posting allowance to motivate health workers and ensure excellent service delivery.

He called on ASR Africa to partner with the state government and key into its health projects and programmes.

Despite the progress, the commissioner warned that Nigeria still faces a severe shortage of health workers, worsened by the 'japa' syndrome.

He noted that about 4,500 health workers are lost annually in Nigeria due to japa and other challenges.

While the World Health Organization standard is one doctor to 600 people, he said Nigeria has about 1 doctor to 10,000 people, and about 1 to 100,000 in some parts of Borno State.

He recalled his experience in a United Kingdom hospital, where there are only about 450 people to a doctor.

'Had we continued like the time of our graduation when only 60 graduated, it would take Nigeria more than 100 years to achieve the WHO standard,' he said.

He urged medical students to embrace every opportunity presented to them to help bridge the gap in Nigeria's health industry.

ASR Africa Health Innovation Series

The event was organised by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, ASR Africa, under its new programme, the ASR Africa Health Innovation Series, with the theme: Strengthening Healthcare through Innovative Approaches.

The programme, in collaboration with UNIMAID, is aimed at exposing final year medical students to innovation and preparing them for the transition from students to doctors.

Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director of ASR Africa, represented by Nakama Keri, said the programme aims to make future graduates more than just health workers, but innovators, thinkers, and policymakers.

It is designed to support final-stage medical trainees by bridging the gap between academic study and clinical practice, and equipping them with transition skills, medical ethics, leadership capabilities, and personal branding strategies for housemanship and long-term career progression.

ASR Africa is a philanthropic initiative founded by Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group. Established in 2021, it works in health, education and social development, operating through an annual US$100 million Africa Fund, with 50% allocated to Nigeria and the rest to other African countries.

The organisation has so far executed and commissioned about 85 projects across Africa, including a N1bn grant to UNIMAID for the construction of the UniPod centre where the event was held.

In her remarks, Dr. Hafsat Rabasa, a health specialist at ASR Africa, said 'this program seeks to ensure they become more than just medical practitioners but innovators, not only heal diseases but policy and change makers.'

Prof. Mohammed Mele, Vice-Chancellor of UNIMAID, represented by Prof. Dauda Mohammed, Director of the UniPod, said the series is where medicine and engineering meet, and that the value of any medical idea is measured by its impact on patients.

Prof. Hamman I. Garandawa, Provost, College of Medical Sciences, UNIMAID, told the students the programme is an opportunity to decide what kind of health practitioners they want to become.

Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Rabasa, the keynote speaker, took the students through his journey, experiences and entrepreneurial success.

The second day of the programme will feature discussions on personal experiences, ethics, clinical confidence, patient safety, common early career mistakes and how to manage personal mental health.