125 Children Die Per 1,000 Births in Bauchi — NDHS Report

Bauchi, Nigeria — The latest figures from the 2023/2024 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) reveal a troubling child mortality rate in Bauchi State, where 125 out of every 1,000 live births result in death before age five.

The statistics place Bauchi well above the national under-five mortality average of 101 per 1,000 and reflect closely the North-East regional average of 127 deaths.

In response to this concerning data, the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) project convened a media training workshop in Bauchi titled “Promoting Child Health Through Media Advocacy”, aimed at equipping journalists to drive public attention and action.

Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), emphasized the essential role of journalists in influencing public opinion and government response. He urged media professionals to use their platforms to spotlight the issue and advocate for effective policy interventions.

Dr. Muhammad Bashir Faruk, CHAMPS’ Principal Investigator, described the statistics as alarming. “Out of every 1,000 babies born, 41 die nationwide within the first 28 days. In the North-East, it’s 40. But in Bauchi, that figure is 48,” he stated.

He added that infant mortality (deaths before age one) in Bauchi stands at 77 per 1,000 — significantly higher than the national (63) and regional (67) averages.

Dr. Faruk appealed to bereaved families to allow post-mortem tissue sampling through CHAMPS to investigate actual causes of death. Such findings, he noted, would help move beyond assumptions and enable more effective healthcare interventions.

Representing the College of Medical Sciences, Professor Sani Malami, who spoke on behalf of the Provost, described the CHAMPS project as a necessary tool for reversing child mortality trends in Nigeria. He called on stakeholders at every level to support the initiative.

At the end of the one-day workshop, participants developed a strategic communication plan to guide media engagement on child health and mortality, with targeted messaging for various audiences across Bauchi and beyond.

By Taiwo Olatinwo | May 20, 2025