ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an analysis of Nigeria's abortion law. It highlights the health and human rights implications of unsafe abortion as the main by-products of the law. The chapter looks at the conflicting positions of protagonists and antagonists of reform and discusses the emotive issue of right to life of the foetus or 'unborn child'. Building on the general analysis of the debate, the chapter aligns with the calls for reform of restrictive abortion laws, though taking a departure from the conventional discourses in terms of methodology for reform. The chapter examines that the drive for reform holds better promises of attainment through the courts than the legislature where reform activists have traditionally pitched their calls for reform. Vulnerability of Nigerian women remains heightened where the criminal law disallows safe abortion. A precondition to facilitating safe abortion in Nigeria is to reform the restrictive Criminal Code and Penal Code provisions on abortion.
