Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered a full investigation into the death of a 45-year-old woman who died hours after delivering quintuplets in Akure.

The woman, Mary Yaduyan, passed away at Netcare Multispeciality Hospital shortly after giving birth to five baby boys via caesarean section.

Medical experts attributed her death to a pulmonary embolism, a complication that occurred after the birth.

In response, the Ondo State Government also announced a ₦2 million donation to support the care of the newborns, who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Aiyedatiwa, represented during a visit to the facility by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye, on Saturday, expressed the administration’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.

₦2 million donation

The visit underscored both the urgency of the situation and the government’s immediate intervention, with officials confirming that the ₦2 million donation is intended to provide urgent relief for the quintuplets.

Osamaye added that longer-term plans are already under consideration, including the possible transfer of the babies to a specialised facility once they are stable. She also used the moment to call attention to systemic gaps in maternal care.

“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for proactive interventions in high-risk pregnancies,” she said.

She further stressed the importance of stricter monitoring and timely referrals in complicated cases requiring advanced specialist care.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Adiji Ojohe, confirmed that a formal investigation is underway.

“The Ministry of Health has set the necessary machinery in motion to unravel the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate development,” he said.

He added that accountability measures would follow the findings:

“Appropriate actions will follow the outcome of the investigation to enhance maternal healthcare delivery and prevent future occurrences,” Ojohe concluded.

Maternal health challenges in Nigeria

The incident has drawn renewed attention to maternal health challenges in Nigeria, particularly the risks associated with high-risk pregnancies and the need for strengthened emergency response systems in healthcare facilities.

Earlier in April 2026, the Ondo State Police Command arrested two women, Elizabeth Aremu and Blessing Effiong, who allegedly posed as midwives, over the deaths of two women and their newborn babies at separate health facilities in different parts of the state.

Meanwhile, a recorded case of a Kano State woman, Hafsatu Yusuf, who recently gave birth to quintuplets at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, also died in March 2026. (PUNCH)

Update news