At a small healthcare centre on the outskirts of Kano city, nurses attend to expectant mothers in a crowded waiting room. Some sit patiently on benches, others stand, holding their antenatal cards.
For many of them, the journey to the clinic is long and tiring. Soon, scenes like this may become even more common.
Health officials through the Director General of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof. Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim, speaking at the maiden convocation ceremony of Sardauna college of health science and technology said, Kano State may record between 600,000 and 700,000 births in 2026, a number that has raised concern about whether the state is ready for such rapid population growth.
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Kano already has one of the highest birth rates in Nigeria. Early marriages, large family sizes, and limited use of family planning have continued to push the numbers up. While childbirth brings joy to families, experts warn that the expected baby boom could place heavy pressure on hospitals, clinics, and health workers.
Hospitals Under Strain:
Many public health facilities in Kano are already struggling. There are not enough doctors, nurses, and midwives to attend to patients.
Government officials have admitted that the state faces a shortage of about 4,000 health workers, especially those trained to care for pregnant women and newborns.
For women in rural areas, the challenge is even greater. Some communities depend on poorly equipped health centres, while others travel long distances to reach hospitals. With hundreds of thousands of births expected, fears are growing that overcrowding and lack of care could increase the risk of complications for mothers and babies.
Beyond the Delivery Room:
The impact of the baby boom goes beyond childbirth. More babies today mean more demand for immunisation, nutrition, schools, teachers, and clean water in the coming years. Without proper planning, families may struggle to provide basic needs, and public services could become overwhelmed.
Health experts say improving infrastructure is as important as increasing manpower. Many clinics still lack basic equipment, drugs, and reliable electricity, making safe delivery difficult.
Preparing for the Future:
The Kano State Government says it is taking steps to improve healthcare by training more workers and strengthening health facilities.
Experts, however, stress that more needs to be done. They call for better funding, recruitment of midwives, improved primary healthcare, and stronger public awareness on maternal health and family planning.
Aminu Salisu is GLOBAL TRACKER correspondent and writes from Nassarawa GRA in Kano metropolis.