Ogun State Assembly: Passes Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law 2026

• The Ogun State House of Assembly passed the "Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026" to reduce maternal mortality and promote reproductive health rights.
• The bill, designated H.B. No. 036/OG/2026, was unanimously approved after a thorough legislative process and now awaits Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun's assent.
• This legislation aims to establish specific legal conditions for the safe termination of pregnancy, impacting healthcare protocols across the state.
• During the same plenary, four other bills advanced to their first reading, indicating a busy legislative agenda.
• Separately, the 10th Assembly converted the impeachment of former Deputy Speaker Hon. Dare Kadiri from March 2021 into a voluntary resignation following his appeal.

For healthcare providers, medical practitioners, and non-governmental organizations operating within Ogun State, the impending enactment of this law necessitates close monitoring of the Governor's decision.

The Ogun State House of Assembly has successfully passed a significant piece of legislation, titled the "Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026." This bill aims to address critical public health concerns by reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, promoting safe motherhood, and safeguarding reproductive health rights. A core objective of the new law is to establish clear conditions under which the safe termination of pregnancy can be carried out, in strict accordance with existing legal indications.

The legislative journey for this bill, officially designated H.B. No. 036/OG/2026, concluded during a plenary session held on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The session was presided over by Speaker Oludaisi Elemide. The process involved the presentation of a comprehensive report by Wahab Haruna, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, which was subsequently adopted following a motion seconded by Chief Whip Hon. Omobola Bakare and supported by a voice vote from the lawmakers.

Following its clause-by-clause consideration and adoption by the Committee of the Whole House, the bill proceeded to its third reading. Babatunde Tella moved the motion for the final reading, which was seconded by Lukman Adeleye and received unanimous support from the members. Mr. Sakiru Adabakin, the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, then read the bill for the third time. The Speaker has since directed that a clean copy be transmitted to Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for his official assent, a crucial step before its enactment into law.

Beyond the pivotal "Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law 2026," the legislative session also saw the introduction of several other important bills. Four additional pieces of legislation scaled their first reading during the same plenary. These included the Gender Balance in Political and Public Offices Bill, 2026; the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill, 2026; the Victims’ Rights Bill, 2026; and the Ogun State Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, 2026, signaling a busy legislative period for the Assembly.

In a separate but notable development, the 10th Assembly addressed a long-standing issue concerning Hon. Dare Kadiri, a former Deputy Speaker of the 9th Legislature who represented Ijebu North II Constituency. The Assembly resolved to pardon Kadiri, converting his removal from office in March 2021 to a voluntary resignation. His original impeachment was pronounced by the then Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, after an ad hoc committee found him guilty of alleged gross misconduct.

The decision to convert Kadiri's impeachment followed the presentation of a report by the Committee of the Whole House, which considered an appeal letter from the former Deputy Speaker. Chief Whip Omobola Bakare presented this report, noting that the committee had convened on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, to review Kadiri's request. Lawmakers observed that his appeal was not intended to revisit the circumstances of his impeachment or establish his innocence, but rather to bring a peaceful and dignified conclusion to that chapter of his public service. The motion for the report's adoption was seconded by Hon. Bisi Oyedele and supported by other members through a voice vote.

The passage of the "Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law 2026" represents a significant development in Nigeria's reproductive rights legislation, particularly within Ogun State. This bill, once it receives Governor Dapo Abiodun's assent, is poised to introduce a structured legal framework governing pregnancy termination, aiming to enhance safe motherhood and reproductive health outcomes across the region. Its focus on establishing clear conditions for such procedures underscores a proactive approach to public health policy.

For healthcare providers, medical practitioners, and non-governmental organizations operating within Ogun State, the impending enactment of this law necessitates close monitoring of the Governor's decision. The "HB 036/OG/2026 Ogun Assembly" initiative will establish specific legal conditions for pregnancy termination, which will require a comprehensive review of existing medical protocols and patient counseling procedures. Adherence to the new legal stipulations will be paramount to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal ramifications.

Ultimately, this Ogun State maternal health law is designed to address critical public health challenges by reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. By formalizing the legal indications for safe termination of pregnancy, the state aims to safeguard the well-being of its citizens. The successful passage of this Ogun State abortion bill passed by the legislature marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for a more regulated and potentially safer environment for reproductive health services.

Lawyers advising healthcare providers, medical practitioners, or NGOs in Ogun State must closely monitor the Governor's assent to this bill. Once enacted, it will establish specific legal conditions for pregnancy termination, requiring a review of existing protocols and patient counseling to ensure compliance with the new law.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper