Nigeria, Oct. 30 -- The federal government has expressed concern over the rise in neonatal mortality in Nigeria, despite a decline in deaths among children under five.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this while citing the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey at the commemoration of the 2026 National Health Promotion Day in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the survey, under-five mortality declined from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2024, representing a reduction of about 17 per cent.

However, neonatal mortality, which measures deaths within the first 28 days of life, increased from 39 to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births within the same period.

Mr Pate, represente...