Infant and child mortality in Nigeria: how far from the millennium development goals?

Sulaimon Adedokun, Obafemi Awolowo University
Luqman Bisiriyu, Obafemi Awolowo University
Olasupo P. Ogunjuyigbe, Obafemi Awolowo University
Ayotunde Titilayo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria

While more than sixty countries have reached the goal of reducing under-five mortality by one-third, under- five mortality rates increased in 14 countries, nine of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Making use of NDHS data from 1990 to 2003, this paper examines infant and child mortality in Nigeria with respect to the Millennium Development Goals. Results show that infant and child mortality increased by 19% and 10% respectively from 1990 to 2003. These rates are higher among women who have primary or no education than those with secondary or higher education. Antenatal and delivery care is found to have a significant impact on infant and child mortality. Mortality rate is also higher in the rural area than in the urban area. Infant and child mortality is still very high in the two northern regions compared to Southeast and Southwest. This is attributed to the wide regional disparities in status, service delivery and resource availability. The whole situation reveals that the country is still far from achieving the Millennium Development Goal.