Angela Onwuzoo Two years after the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, directed the suspension of the implementation of the state’s new policy guidelines on the provision of safe abortions, the governor has yet to lift the suspension despite appeal by stakeholders. Sanwo-Olu had on July 7, 2022, directed the suspension of the policy titled, “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications”, issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health. According to a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof.
Akin Abayomi, the governor directed the suspension of the guidelines to allow for more time for sensitisation of the public following the interest generated over the matter. “Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the suspension of the “State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications” issued by the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Health. “These guidelines have generated immense public interest which has necessitated escalating it to Mr Governor, who has advised further sensitisation of the public and key stakeholders to ensure a clearer understanding of the objectives of the guidelines.
“To this end, we are suspending the implementation of these guidelines in the meantime for the Executive Council to deliberate on this matter and ensure adequate public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement to reach a consensus req.
