Nigeria’s legislative efforts to significantly stiffen penalties for abortion-related offences have been met with an immediate wave of digital resistance from women across the country, many of whom have slammed the bill as a misplaced priority. The Nigerian Senate recently suspended its consideration of the controversial legislation following heated debates among lawmakers and a forceful reaction from the public, particularly on social media.
The bill, titled the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2025, originated in the House of Representatives and sought to increase the jail term for anyone found guilty of supplying drugs or instruments to procure an abortion from three years to a staggering ten years imprisonment without an option of fine. This proposed amendment aims to align the Criminal Code Act with Nigeria’s current realities, but critics argue its focus is entirely wrong.
Using the hashtag #SayNoToAbortionBill, Nigerian women urged lawmakers to re-evaluate their legislative agenda. Instead of focusing on restricting reproductive rights, they argue, Parliament should concentrate on enacting and enforcing stiffer penalties for perpetrators of rape and defilement and addressing other critical matters concerning citizens’ welfare and survival.
The Voices of Concern
Public reactions immediately highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of the bill. On X, formerly Twitter, @TheChefEne expressed a deep concern that the proposed law would not reduce abortions but would instead cause a surge in unsafe procedures and higher female mortality rates due to increased patronage of unqualified practitioners. She described the undertaking as “extremely dangerous.”
Another user, @oluwasolafunmiA, insisted on the fundamental principle of bodily autonomy, adding that “abortion, I believe, is essential healthcare, not a frivolity.” Echoing this sentiment, Elizabeth Adewale described abortion as a “personal choice” that should not be up for “legal debate.”
The perceived lack of priority in the legislature drew sharp criticism. For users @derrra and @abenibacha, lawmakers ought to focus on the numerous economic and security issues plaguing the country. Derra argued plainly that “abortion is not detrimental to our economy and livelihood.” Moyo, an entrepreneur and lawyer, described the bill as an “extra weight.” She posted: “Nigerian women are already going through so much. We don’t need this extra weight on our necks while trying to protect ourselves. The stakes are being raised on our reproductive rights and health.”
The integrity of the process was also questioned. Judith asked why lawmakers were attempting to increase abortion penalties instead of improving the nation’s crumbling healthcare system. She warned, “This will only push more women into unsafe abortions and endanger rural communities who rely on health workers.” Similarly, Ada Dee-Obioma asked a rhetorical question about the severity of penalties for corrupt politicians compared to those proposed for women seeking reproductive health services.
The High Cost of Unsafe Procedures
While lawmakers intended to amend the criminal code, critics and health experts point to the profound economic consequences of tightening restrictions without addressing underlying issues. In Nigeria, abortion is largely restricted by law and is only permitted when carried out to save the life of a pregnant woman. Despite these stringent laws, unsafe abortions remain common, often performed by unqualified individuals in unsanitary conditions. According to studies by organisations such as the Guttmacher Institute, thousands of Nigerian women seek abortions every year, mainly due to unintended pregnancies driven by economic hardship or lack of access to family planning.
This reliance on unsafe procedures carries a heavy economic cost for the nation. Unsafe abortions contribute significantly to Nigeria’s high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The loss of women of reproductive and working age translates directly into a loss of human capital and economic output. Furthermore, treating complications from botched procedures which include severe haemorrhage, infection, and internal organ damage places an enormous and preventable strain on Nigeria’s already struggling public healthcare system. This diversion of resources away from primary care and other infectious diseases represents a significant economic inefficiency. Finally, when women are forced into poor health or premature death due to unsafe procedures, their participation in the labour force, entrepreneurial activity, and overall contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are severely curtailed. The focus on punishment, critics argue, ignores the foundational economic drivers forcing women to seek abortions in the first place.
Legislative Response
The mounting public and internal pressure forced a quick legislative response. During the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio proposed that consideration of the amendment be suspended pending further consultations to clarify what constitutes lawful and unlawful abortion. The motion was adopted through a voice vote, and Mr Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, directing it to review the contentious sections and report back within two weeks.
Advocates for women’s health have consistently called for clearer laws and improved access to comprehensive reproductive health services, including family planning and post-abortion care, as the most effective strategy to reduce preventable deaths and alleviate the related economic burden.
