The National Health Facility Survey (NHFS) 2025 shows that 81.6 percent of public health facilities provided antenatal care services nationwide, up from 79.7 percent in 2023.
Released by the National Bureau of Statistics in Abuja, the survey noted that despite improvements, critical gaps remain in maternal, newborn, and child health interventions.
Secondary health facilities reported higher antenatal care availability at 92.6 percent, compared to 81.1 percent in primary health facilities. Key interventions were widely available: 92.2 percent provided folic acid, 88.9 percent offered intermittent preventive treatment, and 94.0 percent administered tetanus toxoid immunisation.
However, only 30.9 percent of facilities provided antiretroviral services, while 84.2 percent offered HIV testing for pregnant women. Family planning counselling was available in 91.9 percent of facilities, though the availability of commodities was low: 19.4 percent for pills, 21.1 percent injectables, 20.2 percent male condoms, and 21.5 percent implants.
Vaccine availability remained moderate at around 50 percent for most antigens, including measles (52.7%), pentavalent (51.8%), oral polio (52.4%), and BCG (51.7%).
Knowledge of mother-to-child HIV transmission protocols among clinical staff declined to 68.6 percent in 2025 from 76.3 percent in 2023, with partner testing knowledge at 55.9 percent.
Delivery and postnatal care were offered in 70.1 percent of facilities, with disparities between secondary (92.4%) and primary facilities (68.9%). Skilled birth attendance was 65.6 percent including Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), but only 13.8 percent excluding them, highlighting reliance on task-shifted cadres.
Availability of essential delivery commodities was uneven: oxytocin (57.7%), magnesium sulphate (37.8%), and infant resuscitation equipment (37.2%). Only 18.6 percent of facilities provided postnatal care.
Child health and nutrition services were moderate, with 60.0 percent offering growth monitoring and 44.6 percent treating malnutrition. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness guidelines were available in only 31.1 percent of facilities. Participation in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week rose to 62.0 percent in 2025 from 57.9 percent in 2023.
The survey, conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, covered 3,330 facilities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, including public primary and secondary as well as private facilities.
