Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered a full investigation into the death of 45-year-old Mary Yaduyan, who died hours after delivering quintuplets at Netcare Multispeciality Hospital in Akure. The babies, all boys, were delivered via caesarean section and are currently receiving treatment at the facility. Medical sources confirmed Yaduyan's cause of death as pulmonary embolism, a known but severe postpartum complication.
In response, the state government has donated ₦2 million to support the care of the newborns. The governor's representative, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Seun Osamaye, visited the hospital on Saturday and conveyed Aiyedatiwa's grief over the incident. "The governor is deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. His administration remains committed to safeguarding the lives of pregnant women and ensuring that no effort is spared in caring for these babies," Osamaye said.
Osamaye also pointed to systemic issues in maternal care, urging proactive interventions for high-risk pregnancies. She emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and timely referrals for complicated cases requiring specialist care. The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Adiji Ojohe, confirmed that the ministry has initiated an investigation. "The Ministry of Health has set the necessary machinery in motion to unravel the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate development," Ojohe said.
He stated that accountability measures would follow the probe's findings. "Appropriate actions will follow the outcome of the investigation to enhance maternal healthcare delivery and prevent future occurrences," Ojohe added. The case has reignited discussion on maternal health risks in Nigeria, especially concerning multiple births. In March 2026, Hafsatu Yusuf, a woman from Kano State, also died after giving birth to quintuplets at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Earlier that year, in April 2026, two women were arrested in Ondo State for allegedly posing as midwives following the deaths of two mothers and their babies at separate facilities.
Aiyedatiwa orders a probe into a maternal death while his administration simultaneously highlights gaps in monitoring high-risk pregnancies, raising questions about existing oversight. The same system now under investigation was responsible for allowing unqualified personnel to operate as midwives in earlier cases. With another quintuplet birth ending in maternal death in Kano in 2026, the pattern suggests a broader failure in managing complex deliveries across multiple states. The ₦2 million donation to the newborns' care does not address why preventive systems keep failing.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
