Fertility specialists have raised concerns over the growing number of higher-order multiple pregnancies in Nigeria — including triplets, quadruplets, and quintuplets — attributing the trend largely to increased use of assisted reproductive methods and the misuse of fertility drugs.
According to experts, while South-West Nigeria has historically recorded high rates of twin births, the current spike in more complex multiple pregnancies cannot be explained by genetics alone. Instead, it is increasingly tied to medical interventions such as In vitro fertilisation and unsupervised use of ovulation-stimulating medications.
In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, specialists explained that many of these pregnancies now require hospital management due to their high-risk nature. They pointed to unregulated fertility practices, including the transfer of multiple embryos during IVF procedures and the widespread, unsupervised use of drugs like Clomiphene citrate.
Beyond medical factors, societal pressure and stigma surrounding infertility are also influencing decisions, with some women intentionally seeking multiple births despite the associated dangers.
Experts warned that such pregnancies significantly increase health risks for both mothers and babies, including complications like preterm birth, neonatal mortality, and maternal death — further straining Nigeria’s already challenged maternal healthcare system.
They also highlighted systemic issues such as weak regulation of fertility clinics, poor data reporting, and a culture of secrecy around assisted reproductive procedures, all of which obscure the true scale of the issue.
Recent incidents underscore the trend. In Lagos, Charity Anani delivered quadruplets in February 2026 but later died from complications. Similarly, Hafsatu Yusuf passed away shortly after giving birth to quintuplets in Kano. Other cases include quadruplet births in Ogun State and a tragic maternal death following the delivery of triplets in Bayelsa.
While not all cases have been definitively linked to assisted reproductive methods, investigations suggest at least one involved IVF.
Speaking on the issue, Preye Fiebai, President of the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, noted a steady increase in higher-order multiple births, describing them as pregnancies beyond twins.
He explained that although comprehensive national data is lacking, available studies show a gradual rise. One study cited an increase from under 0.3% in 2013 to about 0.7% in 2017.
Fiebai emphasized that the expansion of fertility clinics, combined with weak regulatory oversight, is fueling the trend. Unlike developed countries where single embryo transfer is becoming standard, some Nigerian clinics reportedly transfer as many as six or seven embryos.
He stressed that outcomes for multiple pregnancies are significantly riskier, with complications occurring at much higher rates than in single births. He also raised concerns about cases where women die days after delivery, even without prior warning signs.
Fiebai advocated limiting embryo transfers to a maximum of two and warned strongly against the unsupervised use of fertility medications, noting that many women self-administer such drugs in pursuit of multiple births.
Also weighing in, Christopher Aimakhu, Second Vice President of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, said the rise in multiple pregnancies is part of a global pattern driven by assisted reproductive technologies.
He added that ovulation-inducing drugs also play a role by increasing the number of eggs released during a cycle.
While acknowledging that Yoruba women have historically had higher rates of twin births due to genetic and dietary factors, Aimakhu cautioned that the health risks associated with higher-order multiples remain severe.
Despite cultural acceptance of multiple births, he stressed that such pregnancies require careful medical supervision due to their complexity and potential complications.
