UNICEF has announced that a staggering three out of every ten pregnant women in Bauchi State are still delivering their babies at home. This bombshell was dropped at a recent media event on adolescent well-being, co-hosted by the Bauchi State Government and UNICEF, where experts painted a grim picture of maternal and child health in the region.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nazhat Rafique,speaking through Health Officer Oluseyi Olosunde,did not mince words. She declared that the nation’s future is at risk if urgent action isn’t taken to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Rafique demanded that governments at all levels cough up dedicated funds for this cause, warning that failure to do so could spell disaster for Nigeria’s development.

“Strengthening sexual and reproductive health and nutrition for adolescents must become a national priority,” Rafique insisted, pointing fingers at the widespread malnutrition, anaemia, and lack of decision-making power plaguing adolescent girls in Bauchi and across Nigeria. She called for a massive, all-hands-on-deck effort,including the media,to drive awareness and force change.

Rafique heaped praise on the media for its “consistent and intentional partnership,” but made it clear that the stakes have never been higher. With early pregnancy, unsafe childbirth, and poor healthcare access threatening the lives of young people, she demanded immediate action from policymakers, development partners, and communities.

The most jaw-dropping statistic? Despite the well-known dangers, 30% of pregnant women in Bauchi are still risking it all by delivering at home. Early pregnancy is rampant among adolescent girls, putting both mothers and babies in the crosshairs of preventable complications.

“We are here today to discuss how we can work together with the media, supporting government and UNICEF’s drive for better health outcomes for women, girls, boys, and young people aged 10 to 24,” Rafique said, calling for a united front to empower women and protect teenagers. She demanded clear roles for government, UNICEF, partners, and the media in this fight.

Amina Balali, Gender Focal Person at the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, didn’t hold back either. She blamed the lack of a dedicated budget for adolescent health as a major roadblock, and rattled off a laundry list of other issues: not enough health workers, too few adolescent-friendly health centres, and a lack of funding and training for healthcare staff.

Balali dropped another bombshell: the adolescent pregnancy rate in Bauchi is a shocking 25.3 percent among girls aged 15 to 19. She warned that if Nigeria doesn’t get its act together and invest in adolescent well-being, the country’s future is on the line.

The situation in Bauchi is just the tip of the iceberg. Across Nigeria, cultural norms, poverty, and poor healthcare access are fueling high rates of home deliveries and adolescent pregnancies. Health experts are sounding the alarm, warning that home births,often handled by unskilled attendants,can lead to deadly complications for mothers and babies alike.

UNICEF and the Bauchi State Government are now calling for a multi-sectoral approach, demanding more money for adolescent health, better access to youth-friendly services, and a crackdown on harmful cultural practices. They say empowering girls through education and economic opportunities is the only way to delay early marriage and pregnancy.

As the crisis deepens, all eyes are on the media to keep the pressure on, raise awareness, and push for policies that protect women and adolescents. The hope is that, with enough noise and action, Bauchi can finally turn the tide on home deliveries and adolescent pregnancies. But for now, the numbers remain alarming,and the clock is ticking.